title: Anticoagulation: stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.
abstract: It is well recognized that during atrial fibrillation (AF), clots may form in the left atrium, which may embolize and cause ischemic stroke or systemic embolism. The presence of AF confers a fivefold increased risk for stroke. AF is the most common and important cause of stroke. This article considers the risks for and anticoagulation prophylaxis against embolic stroke in patients who have AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, MS LKS 5038, Cleveland, OH 44106-5038, USA. albert.waldo@case.edu
authors.forename: Albert L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Waldo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants