Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Apr 2012
ReviewNew oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation: a review of clinical trials.
Warfarin had been the only oral anticoagulant for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) for decades. Direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors are new anticoagulants recently approved for prevention of stroke or systemic embolism in patients with AF. ⋯ Published data suggest that all 3 agents are at least as efficacious as dose-adjusted warfarin, with similar major bleeding profiles. For patients who are unwilling to adhere to regular coagulation monitoring or whose therapeutic effect using warfarin is not optimal despite adequate monitoring and management, the inhibitors of direct thrombin or factor Xa may provide alternative choices in anticoagulation.