Anticoagulation in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common, serious, cardiac arrhythmia and increases the risk for ischemic stroke fivefold. Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation may be responsible for up to 15-20% of strokes. Antiplatelet agents and oral anticoagulants are used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. The following review article discusses the potential risks and benefits of oral anticoagulants in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with particular emphasis on accurate risk stratification tools for ischemic stroke.
Nagra
Bipinpreet S
BS
Albert Einstein Medical Center, Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology 5501 Old York Road, Levy 3-East, Philadelphia, PA 19118, USA. nagrab@einstein.edu
Kantharia
Bharat K
BK