title: Optimising stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Pooled data from trials comparing antithrombotic treatment with placebo have shown that warfarin reduces the risk of stroke by 62%, and that aspirin alone reduces the risk by 22%. Overall, in high-risk patients, warfarin is superior to aspirin in preventing strokes, with a relative risk reduction of 36%. Ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, was found to be as efficient as vitamin K antagonist drugs in the prevention of embolic events, but has been recently withdrawn because of abnormal liver function tests. The ACTIVE-W (Atrial Fibrillation Clopidogrel Trial with Irbesartan for Prevention of Vascular Events) study has demonstrated that warfarin is superior to platelet therapy (clopidogrel plus aspirin) in the prevention af embolic events. Idraparinux, a Factor Xa inhibitor, is being evaluated in patients with atrial fibrillation. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor-blocking drugs hold promise in atrial fibrillation through cardiac remodelling. Preliminary studies suggest that statins could interfere with the risk of recurrence after electrical cardioversion. Finally, percutaneous methods for the exclusion of left atrial appendage are under investigation in high-risk patients.
authors.affiliation: Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris et Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Service de Cardiologie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, 184 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, 75012, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ederhy
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications*; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin