Anticoagulant use in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Determining risk and choosing the safest course.
Previous TIA or stroke, diabetes, advanced age, impaired left ventricular function, and a history of hypertension are strong risk factors in patients with nonvalvular AF. When none of these factors is present, aspirin in a dose of 325 mg offers effective protection against future stroke. When any of these factors are present, warfarin adjusted to an INR of 2.0 to 3.0 offers greater protection against future stroke than aspirin alone or aspirin and fixed-dose warfarin (INR 1.2-1.5). More data are needed before newer anticoagulants can be recommended for treatment.
Gornick
C C
CC
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA. Gorni002@tc.umn.edu
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants