title: Anti-stroke prophylaxis--the ethics of collateral damage.
abstract: Prophylactic anticoagulation therapy with agents such as dabigatran etexilate (as an alternative to warfarin) promises substantial benefits to both patients and monitoring physicians in the treatment of those at high risk of stroke from atrial fibrillation. Such treatment has, however, one potentially lethal consequence. There is, as yet, no easily administered rapid means of reversal in instances of acute surgical emergency. The problems that may then be encountered in neurosurgical practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. peter.teddy@mh.org.au
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Teddy
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nair
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000009:adverse effects; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069604:Dabigatran; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000991:Antithrombins; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D000069604:Dabigatran