title: New oral anticoagulants: a practical guide for physicians.
abstract: New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are an alternative for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) to prevent stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Unlike VKAs, these anticoagulants do not require routine INR monitoring and possess favorable pharmacological properties. The lack of an effective antidote, their cost, or reservations in patients with kidney disease may explain their slow rate of expansion. Safe and effective use of these new drugs will depend on clinical experience amongst the medical community. This review discusses the current NOACs, providing practical and easy-to-use algorithms for application in the clinical routine.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Km 9.100, Madrid 28034, Spain rociohinojar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rocio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hinojar
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Km 9.100, Madrid 28034, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Julio
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Natcher
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Km 9.100, Madrid 28034, Spain.
authors.forename: Covadonga
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández-Golfín
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Km 9.100, Madrid 28034, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zamorano
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; New oral anticoagulants; Stroke