Oral Anticoagulant Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation Patients at High Stroke and Bleeding Risk

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a 5-fold greater risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism compared with normal sinus rhythm. Cardioembolic AF-related strokes are often more severe, fatal or associated with greater permanent disability and higher recurrence rates than strokes of other aetiologies. These strokes may be effectively prevented with oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, using either vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or non-vitamin K antagonist oral OACs (NOACs) such as the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran or direct factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, apixaban or edoxaban.

Source: Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases - July 7, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Tatjana S. Potpara, Gregory Y.H. Lip Tags: Invited Review Source Type: research