Antiplatelet therapy, vitamin K antagonist and low time in therapeutic range in patients with atrial fibrillation: Highway to bleed

Use of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy for stroke prevention is a main aspect of management for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Guidelines for the management of AF indicate that OAC is usually needed in patients with at least one stroke risk factor [1]. This has been possibly achieved for a long time using a vitamin K antagonist (VKA). This may also be done for a few years using one of the non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOACs) in case the patient has neither a EHRA (Evaluated Heartvalves, Rheumatic or Artificial) Type 1 valvular AF nor a contraindication to NOAC [2].
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research