New oral anticoagulants offer an alternative to vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, with practical algorithms provided for clinical routine application.
This review provides practical algorithms for the safe and effective use of NOACs in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
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.
Hinojar et al. (2015) conducted a review in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) was evaluated. New oral anticoagulants offer an alternative to vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, with practical algorithms provided for clinical routine application.