Antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation after percutaneous coronary interventions

Highlights . The article analyzes the current evidence base for anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions, and future perspectives of such therapy. Abstract . A number of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention may require intensification of antithrombotic therapy. These include patients with atrial fibrillation. The difficulty of treatment of this group of patients consists in the achievement of a certain level of hypocoagulation, which will be sufficient for the prevention of acute ischemic events, mainly associated with the implanted coronary stent, but will not lead to the clinically relevant bleeding. Achieving this balance requires a careful and personalized approach to prescribing a variety of combination (antiplatelet and anticoagulant) therapy regimens. The article provides an overview of modern antithrombotic therapy regimens in this group of patients, their evidence base and promising directions for improving such therapy.