title: Rationale, design and methodology of the RAMSES Study: ReAl-life Multicenter Survey Evaluating Stroke Prevention Strategies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with a five- fold increased risk of thromboembolic events. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been the mainstay of oral anticoagulant prophylaxis and the data on stroke prevention strategies are limited to VKA era. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of VKA, non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC), and antiplatelet agents in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).
  
  
  METHODS
  The ReAl-life Multicenter Survey Evaluating Stroke prevention strategies in Turkey (RAMSES) is an observational, multicenter, prospective study of patients with NVAF. The study targeted enrollment of 7835 patients from 68 sites in Turkey. All the data will be collected at one point in time and current clinical practice will be evaluated. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02344901).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline characteristics of patients, antithrombotic therapies, transition to NOACs and rate/rhythm control strategies will be evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RAMSES registry will be the largest study in Turkish NVAF patients. The study will provide insights into real-world problems and anticoagulant treatment in patients with NVAF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey. basaran_ozcan@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Özcan
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Başaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Volkan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Doğan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kadriye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Memic Sancar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: İbrahim
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Altun
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kadir Uğur
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Mert
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gurbet Özge
authors.initials: GÖ
authors.lastname: Mert
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nesrin Filiz
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Başaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Edip Güvenç
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Çekiç
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Kartal Koşuyolu Heart Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cevat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kırma
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biteker
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants