Factors in Deciding between Novel and Traditional Oral Anticoagulants to Prevent Embolism in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the sustained arrhythmia most frequently found in clinical practice. Its prevalence is expected to increase in the coming decades. Its occurrence implies a reduction in the quality of life and an increase in mortality, mainly due to stroke and systemic thromboembolism (TE). The stroke originating from AF carries a higher risk of severe complications, such as permanent disability and prolonged hospitalization, as compared to that of other etiologies.^–

Since the discovery of vitamin K (VitK) antagonists more than 50 years ago, they have become the most effective treatment to prevent stroke and TE in patients with AF. However, because of the risk of hemorrhagic complications they pose, only patients with persistent AF considered of very high risk, previous embolic accidents, mechanical valvular prostheses, and those undergoing electrical cardioversion used to receive that treatment in an initial phase. Between the 1980 and 1990 decades, major clinical controlled studies determining the importance of stroke prevention in non-valvular AF were carried out, providing scientific support to the current clinical use of VitK antagonists. The greater benefit of the VitK antagonists as compared to placebo (a mean 64% reduction in relative risk) has been undoubtedly demonstrated, as has been the modest or even absent role of acetylsalicylic acid in stroke prevention in that population.

[…]