title: Selecting antithrombotic therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation.
abstract: When considering anticoagulant therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation, one must balance the reduction in risk of thromboembolism that this therapy offers against the risk of bleeding that it poses. The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and Heart Rhythm Society updated their atrial fibrillation guidelines in 2014. This review outlines a rationale for clinical decision-making based on the new guidelines and summarizes the currently approved drugs.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pacing and Cardiac Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tanaka-Esposito
authors.affiliation: Section of Pacing and Cardiac Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic chungm@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Mina K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents