title: Safety and efficacy of novel oral anticoagulants: a comparison to vitamin K antagonists.
abstract: Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been developed as alternatives for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with a variety of medical conditions. In this review, we summarize the current data on NOACs safety and efficacy compared to VKAs and in specific patients' groups including heart valve replacement, venous thromboembolism, advanced renal failure and the elderly.
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsianis
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petrou
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostopoulou
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 356 Syggrou Ave., GR-17674, Athens, Greece. azkatsianis@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Theodorakis
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014812:Vitamin K