Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: current anticoagulation management and future directions.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important cause of stroke, and stroke risk stratification is critical to the management of patients with AF. Anticoagulation with warfarin is the current standard of care for stroke prevention in these patients, despite the need for close monitoring. Aspirin alone is not as effective. Warfarin is recommended for patients with AF and valvular disease or with AF and one or more stroke risk factors. Other novel anticoagulants and antiplatelet combinations are under investigation. Curative procedures for AF are possible, but their long-term safety and effect on stroke risk are unknown.
Fitzgerald
Benjamin T
BT
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Cohn
Steven L
SL
Klein
Allan L
AL
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin