Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation - Outcomes and Future Directions

Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review
Katrina MountfortJean-Yves Le Heuzey

Abstract

Stroke prevention is central to the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the established and long-standing option for stroke prevention therapy in patients with AF. However, non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have recently been developed and demonstrated non-inferior efficacy vs VKA treatment, with fewer limitations in clinical practice and with reduced risks of major bleeding. In order to discuss the usage, efficacy and safety of NOACs, a satellite symposium was held at the Cardiostim/ EHRA Europace Congress in Nice in June 2014. At present, three NOACs, a direct thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran) and two direct factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban and apixaban) have been approved in Europe for stroke prevention in patients with AF. In addition, the once-daily factor Xa inhibitor edoxaban has recently been evaluated in this setting in the phase III Effective Anticoagulation with Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation - Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Study 48 (ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48) that compared edoxaban 30 mg once daily (low-dose regimen) with dose-adjusted warfarin (international normalised ratio 2.0-3.0). ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 was the largest trial with a NOAC to date, a...Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 23, 2020·Europace : European Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Electrophysiology : Journal of the Working Groups on Cardiac Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology·Carlos Escobar, A John Camm

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