title: The clinical efficacy of dabigatran etexilate for preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.
abstract: The use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for stroke and systemic embolism prevention in the setting of specifically non valvular atrial fibrillation has provided clinicians with a realistic treatment alternative to the traditional dose-adjusted, warfarin-based anticoagulation that is targeted to a therapeutic international normalized ratio range of 2.0-3.0. We discuss the use of dabigatran in the setting of mechanical heart valves, atrial fibrillation or left atrial catheter ablation procedures, reversal of the drug in the setting of adverse bleeding events, and background on the molecular biology and development of this novel treatment for stroke reduction.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN 37232-8802, USA. christopher.ellis@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kaiser
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000069604:Dabigatran; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D057915:Drug Substitution; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D018579:Patient Selection; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D000069604:Dabigatran
keywords: NOACs; atrial fibrillation; dabigatran etexilate; stroke; systemic embolism