New oral anticoagulants and prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with hypertension and atrial fibrillation

Arterial hypertension (HTN) and atrial fibrillation often coexist and the combination of these two conditions carries an increased risk of stroke. HTN is one of the most important risk factors included in the scores for stoke prediction in atrial fibrillation used to assess the need of anticoagulation, and HTN has also been strictly related to bleeding complications of antithrombotic therapy. Antithrombotic drugs options include vitamin K antagonists, or new oral anticoagulants, recently approved for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. More favorable new oral anticoagulant efficacy and safety, compared with warfarin, have been reported in hypertensive patients, making these drugs a first-line choice in this population to prevent cerebrovascular events and reduce the risk of major bleedings. The aim of this review is to explore the relationship among HTN, atrial fibrillation and the risk of stroke and to summarize the evidence on the impact of HTN on the choice of the most appropriate anticoagulation treatment.