title: Apixaban for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Until recently, pharmaceutical options for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation were restricted to aspirin or vitamin K antagonist therapy. In recent years development has been underway for alternatives. Apixaban, a direct Factor Xa inhibitor, is orally dosed, target selective and has few known drug or food interactions. As such, it is a member of a new generation of anticoagulants expected to revolutionize the way we approach anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Apixaban has been studied in Phase II and Phase III trials for a variety of indications. The AVERROES trial established apixaban as superior to aspirin for stroke reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation for whom vitamin K antagonist therapy is unsuitable. The recent ARISTOTLE trial found apixaban to be superior to warfarin for stroke prevention in a wide range of patients with atrial fibrillation, with significantly lower bleeding risk, and lower risk of all-cause mortality.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri, 1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Littrell
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Flaker
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011728:Pyridones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011728:Pyridones; C522181:apixaban; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin