Practical aspects of anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and arterial hypertension

Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most frequent sustained cardiac arrhythmia, the prevalence of AF is 1-2 % in the general population and up to 6 % for population over 80 years. Arterial hypertension (AH) is the commonest background comorbidity in patients with AF. Patients with AF have 3-6‑fold increased risk of ischemic stroke in comparison to that in general population, additionally the presence of AH leads an 2-3‑fold increase in risk of subsequent stroke. Current clinical guidelines recommend long-time anticoagulant treatment for prevention of stroke and thromboembolic complications in majority of patients with confirmed AF. Not only does uncontrolled high blood pressure contribute to developing new-onset AF or AF progression but also can increase a bleeding risk related to oral anticoagulants. Patients with AF and concomitant AH resulting in target organ damage need for more favorable safety profile of oral anticoagulants. Instruction label dabigatran treatment in two doses can individualize approach to choice of long-term anticoagulation with lower risk of major bleeding in AF patients.