title: Review of challenges in optimizing oral anticoagulation therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Oral anticoagulant therapy is the mainstay of stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation; it is highly effective at reducing stroke risk, but its use can be limited by increased risk of bleeding. As new oral anticoagulants are available, barriers to optimal use of oral anticoagulation therapy warrant consideration by healthcare professionals and administrators who are seeking to optimize the quality of care for patients with atrial fibrillation. Suboptimal use of oral anticoagulation therapy constitutes an important health problem with significant humanistic and economic consequences. Based on a review of the medical literature published between 2000 and 2011, this article summarizes the literature on the barriers to optimal use of oral anticoagulation therapy, describes the clinical and economic burdens that these barriers add to the burden of atrial fibrillation, and discusses how well the new oral anticoagulants may address some of these issues.
authors.affiliation: RTI Health Solutions, 200 Park Offices Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194, USA. mfernandez@rti.org
authors.forename: Maria M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: von Schéele
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hogue
authors.forename: Winghan Jacqueline
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kwong
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants