title: Help Desk Answers: Do novel oral anticoagulants safely prevent stroke in patients with nonvalvular A-fib?
abstract: Yes. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban are safe and effective compared with warfarin for preventing stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. These novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are noninferior in reducing the number of strokes and systemic emboli and in lowering all-cause mortality while not increasing major bleeding complications and hemorrhagic events.
authors.affiliation: University of North Dakota Center For Family Medicine, Bismarck, ND, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siewert
authors.affiliation: University of North Dakota Center For Family Medicine, Bismarck, ND, USA.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hostetter
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004617:Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061214:Patient Safety; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin