Oral anticoagulation to reduce risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation: current and future therapies

al anticoagulation to reduce risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation: current and future therapies Review (1488) Total Article Views Authors: Amin A Published Date January 2013 Volume 2013:8 Pages 75 - 84 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S37818 Received: 06 September 2012 Accepted: 29 November 2012 Published: 22 January 2013 Alpesh Amin Hospitalist Program, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased incidence and severity of strokes. The burden of AF-related stroke is expected to increase in parallel with the aging of the population. Oral anticoagulation with warfarin has been the pharmacologic standard for stroke risk reduction in patients with AF. When used with close attention to dosing and monitoring, warfarin is effective prophylactic therapy against thromboembolic stroke. However, it is underused by physicians, in part because of the known risks of adverse events with warfarin. Consequently, many patients with AF live with an avoidably elevated risk of stroke. New options, ie, oral anticoagulants with novel mechanisms of action, have recently been approved to reduce the risk of stroke in AF, and others are in development. These newer agents may address some of the complexities of warfarin use while providing similar or better efficacy and safety.