title: Anticoagulation strategies in atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for stroke and systemic embolization, particularly         in the elderly. Approximately 2.3 million adults in the United States have AF, and it         is projected that this number will increase to approximately 5.6 million individuals by the         year 2050, with over 50% aged 80 years or older. Vitamin K antagonists are currently the         most widely accepted means of stroke prevention in patients with AF; unfortunately, this         method of treatment is not a feasible option for many patients for numerous reasons.         This article examines and compares the various newer therapeutic agents that have either         been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or are still in various stages of         clinical testing, and provides an overview of established antithrombotic therapies. We also         discuss the role of anticoagulation in the setting of cardioversion in patients with AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Surya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Artham
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lavie
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khatib
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004554:Electric Countershock; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents