‘Balancing the risk of stroke with the risk of bleeding’ is the main aim of new oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) appears to be increasing. Three in 10 people is projected to develop AF in his or her lifetime. Patients with AF have a 5-fold increased risk of stroke, and it is estimated that 18% to 25% of all strokes are attributable to AF. Moreover, death and disability from stroke complicating AF are particularly high.
Thus, stroke related to AF is substantial and growing public health burden. Oral anticoagulants (OAC) are capable of preventing cerebral embolic events. This therapy is highly effective in preventing stroke, presenting a relative risk reduction of 65%, absolute risk reduction of 3.5% per year for primary prevention and 9.1% per year for secondary prevention. However, OAC use is associated with…
