title: Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increase in mortality and morbidity, with a substantial increase in stroke and systemic thromboembolism. Strokes related to AF are associated with higher mortality, greater disability, longer hospital stays, and lower chance of being discharged home than strokes unrelated to AF.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of current concepts and recent developments in stroke prevention in AF, with suggestions for practical management.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive structured literature search was performed using MEDLINE for studies published through March 11, 2015, that reported on AF and stroke, bleeding risk factors, and stroke prevention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The risk of stroke in AF is reduced by anticoagulant therapy. Thromboprophylaxis can be obtained with vitamin K antagonists (VKA, eg, warfarin) or a non-VKA oral anticoagulant (NOAC). Major guidelines emphasize the important role of oral anticoagulation (OAC) for effective stroke prevention in AF. Initially, clinicians should identify low-risk AF patients who do not require antithrombotic therapy (ie, CHA2DS2-VASc score, 0 for men; 1 for women). Subsequently, patients with at least 1 stroke risk factor (except when the only risk is being a woman) should be offered OAC. A patient's individual risk of bleeding from antithrombotic therapy should be assessed, and modifiable risk factors for bleeding should be addressed (blood pressure control, discontinuing unnecessary medications such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The international normalized ratio should be tightly controlled for patients receiving VKAs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stroke prevention is central to the management of AF, irrespective of a rate or rhythm control strategy. Following the initial focus on identifying low-risk patients, all others with 1 or more stroke risk factors should be offered OAC.
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom2Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Gregory Y H
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Lip
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Deirdre A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin