title: Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: Commentary regarding the AAN's evidence-based guideline update.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is a common, potentially preventable cause of disabling stroke in the elderly, particularly in elderly women, resulting from embolism of stasis-precipitated thrombi formed in the left atrial appendage. In 1989, the first randomized clinical trial of anticoagulant therapy in atrial fibrillation showed that warfarin produced a large reduction in ischemic stroke.1In the ensuing 25 years, more than 40 additional randomized trials have permitted stroke prophylaxis to be importantly refined. It has been a period of remarkable progress in stroke prevention. Here, we discuss selected aspects of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN)'s evidence-based guideline update.2.
authors.affiliation: McMaster University/Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.affiliation: McMaster University/Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Canada.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Eikelboom