Comparison of anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation - novel oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists

In patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), oral anticoagulation is important for prevention of stroke and systemic embolism (SE). While Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have historically been the standard of care, these medications are limited by numerous food and drug interactions with onerous requirements for frequent monitoring and dose adjustments. Over the past decade, several novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been developed to directly inhibit factor IIa/thrombin (dabigatran) or activated factor X (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban).
Source: Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research