The non-vitamin K oral Anticoagulants (NOACs): Have All Questions Been Answered?

Proper use of oral anticoagulation to prevent thromboemboli is critical to manage patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Evidence, based on empiric observation and prior, prospective, randomized, multicenter, clinical trials defines AF populations at risk [1] and defines benefit of warfarin anticoagulation within a specific narrow therapeutic target INR of 2.0-3.0 [2]. Years of clinical experience provide comfort with use of warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, for AF patients at risk for thromboembolic events, yet, despite this, the difficulty and complexity of warfarin management has created problems for clinicians and patients.
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research