[Advances in the prevention of cerebral ischaemia due to atrial fibrillation].
BACKGROUND
Stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF) are a real vascular epidemic, and the consequences are disastrous. The most common complication of AF is stroke.


BACKGROUND
The correct aetiological diagnosis of stroke is essential for adequate prevention. The percentage of cryptogenic ischaemic strokes is far too high and the detection of AF needs to be improved. Cardio-embolic cerebral ischaemia due to AF is preventable, however due to medical inertia, the lack of compliance by the patient, and the problems with oral vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants, means that many patients with AF are at risk of suffering from a stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
The significant recent advances with drugs such as dronedarone and dabigatran, provide real hope for an improvement in its prevention, and for this reason neurologists must know about them.
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Gil Núñez
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000069604:Dabigatran; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D000077764:Dronedarone; D006801:Humans; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D015091:beta-Alanine; D014812:Vitamin K; D000069604:Dabigatran; D000077764:Dronedarone; D000638:Amiodarone