Contemporary Management of Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation Following the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines

Prevention of ischaemic stroke has long been central to the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), historically relying on the use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or antiplatelet agents depending on the risk of thromboembolism. Difficulties associated with maintaining VKAs in therapeutic range and the perceived risk of bleeding have been highlighted as reasons to withhold oral anticoagulation (OAC) and these issues have partly been addressed by the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs).
Source: Radcliffe Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research