title: [Thrombus formation and its embolic risk in atrial fibrillation].
abstract: Mural thrombus due to blood stasis develops in the left atrium as atrial fibrillation (AF) persists longer. Characteristically, its development depends on the endothelial function of the atrium, and the prevention and control of each component of CHADS2 score are thus important. Treatment of hypertension is essential in the primary prevention of AF, but once AF develops, its suppression will be the next step to address and catheter ablation is a useful intervention for this purpose. If these efforts fail, anticoagulation therapy for those with a substantial risk is mandatory. After the duration of AF and the bleeding risk are carefully taken into account, new oral anticoagulants with the risk of cerebral bleeding much less than warfarin are indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Tachikawa Hospital.
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitamura
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004727:Endothelium / Q000503:physiopathology; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008019:Life Style; D012306:Risk; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants