Anti-thrombotic therapy for non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation.
Recent randomized trials of antithrombotic therapy in non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation have helped to clarify the benefits of warfarin and aspirin. Low-risk patients (normotensives aged < 60 with normal left ventricular function) have a small risk of thromboembolic events and are unlikely to benefit significantly from anticoagulants, but may benefit from aspirin with little increase in risk of bleeding. High-risk patients (> 75 years, impaired left ventricular function, previous thromboembolism and/or associated conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus) have an increased risk of thromboembolism, and benefit from long-term anticoagulant therapy to a greater degree than with aspirin, although at a risk of increased bleeding complications.
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Academic Department of Cardiology, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Chauhan
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D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin