title: Dabigatran versus warfarin for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: is the patient the winner?
abstract: The results of the RE-LY trial, the largest stroke prevention trial to date, have shown dabigatran to be the first oral anticoagulant with safety and efficacy comparable to warfarin. However, not all patients will be suitable candidates for treatment with dabigatran and much is yet to be learned of its results in long term use in real world applications. If as predicted, dabigatran becomes a serious contender to warfarin, nurses in almost all clinical settings will soon care for patients prescribed dabigatran; a potent anticoagulant for which there is no antidote.
authors.affiliation: St Vincent's Private Hospital, Sydney, NSW.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grave
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069604:Dabigatran; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D014859:Warfarin; D000069604:Dabigatran