title: [Antithrombotic prevention in atrial fibrillation: the new anticoagulant drugs].
abstract: Thromboembolic events are the most dangerous complications in patients with atrial fibrillation, affecting the central nervous system in 93% of cases. Vitamin K antagonists have been in clinical use since the '50s for the prevention of thromboembolism. Although effective, vitamin K antagonists have several limitations that render them difficult to administer, which have prompted the need for new antithrombotic strategies. The new class of oral anti-IIa and anti-Xa agents appears to be a promising alternative to overcome these limitations.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Cardiocerebrovascolare, A.O. Ospedale Maggiore, Crema. ornelladurin@libero.it
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Durin
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Donato
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nanetti
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foffa
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Inama
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069604:Dabigatran; D006801:Humans; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000991:Antithrombins; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D015091:beta-Alanine; D000069604:Dabigatran