Contemporary Approach to Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: Risks, Benefits, And New Options

Atrial fibrillation is a common diagnosis affecting nearly 3 million adults in the United States. Morbidity and mortality in these patients is driven largely by the associated increased risk of thromboembolic complications, especially stroke. Atrial fibrillation is a stronger risk factor than hypertension, coronary disease, or heart failure and is associated with an approximately five-fold increased risk. Mitigating stroke risk can be challenging and requires accurate assessment of stroke risk factors and careful selection of appropriate therapy.

Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 4, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Jonathan Stock, Brian J. Malm Source Type: research