Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: Latest Clinical Trials and Guidelines

Pharmaceuticals

Luciana Armaganijan²  Dimpi Patel¹  Cristiano Dietrich³ 

[1] 1506 Bristol Court, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, USA;Cardiac Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology, Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology, Sao Paulo 04012-180, Brazil;Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, Electrophysiology Service, Paulista School of Medicine, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo 04024-002, Brazil

关键词: atrial fibrillation;    anticoagulants;    stroke;    prevention;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ph5040384

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and 1/6 strokes is attributed to AF. The cornerstone of treatment remains maintaining sinus rhythm or appropriate ventricular rate control in addition to prevention of stroke. Oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC) with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) has been the gold standard for almost 50 years and a significant reduction in the risk of stroke in patients with AF has been demonstrated. Nonetheless, only 50% of patients with guideline recommendations for OAC treatment actually receive VKAs and half of these will discontinue therapy within 3 to 5 years with only another half achieving therapeutic ranges more than 50% of the time. The aforementioned limitations in addition with frequent blood monitoring have prompted the development of a series of new OAC therapies. The present review focuses on the current pharmacological management for stroke prevention in patients with AF based on current and emerging evidence.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.