Key result
Novel anticoagulants, including direct thrombin inhibitors like dabigatran and Factor Xa inhibitors, are being evaluated as alternatives to warfarin for stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation.
Why the study?
Do novel anticoagulants prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to warfarin?
Do novel anticoagulants prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to warfarin?
This review summarizes the emerging evidence for novel oral anticoagulants as alternatives to warfarin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
May support evaluation of novel anticoagulants for AF stroke prevention; leaves open comparative efficacy versus warfarin.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia responsible for one third of the hospitalizations because of cardiac rhythm disturbances. Atrial fibrillation leads to stroke, heart failure, and other causes of mortality. Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, is the first-line agent for the prophylaxis of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Limitations associated with warfarin have led to development of new anticoagulants targeting different sites in the coagulation cascade. A direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran, has been evaluated in clinical studies for prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation. Factor Xa inhibitors, direct as well as indirect inhibitors, are in various stages of development for their antithrombotic effect. This article reviews the studies done on these novel anticoagulants and their prophylactic potential for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Chaudhari et al. (2010) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation. Novel anticoagulants (dabigatran, Factor Xa inhibitors) vs. Warfarin was evaluated on Prevention of stroke. Novel anticoagulants, including direct thrombin inhibitors like dabigatran and Factor Xa inhibitors, are being evaluated as alternatives to warfarin for stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: