Selecting the Optimal Stroke Prevention Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Margaret C. Fang
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2011)

Editorials1 November 2011Selecting the Optimal Stroke Prevention Therapy in Atrial FibrillationMargaret C. Fang, MD, MPHMargaret C. Fang, MD, MPHFrom University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-9-201111010-00014 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Stroke is a feared complication of atrial fibrillation and leads to substantial morbidity and mortality (1). Atrial fibrillation not only increases the risk for ischemic stroke by approximately 5-fold, but atrial fibrillation–related strokes result in more deaths and disability than strokes of other causes (2). Anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin, effectively reduces the risk for atrial fibrillation–related ischemic stroke but is associated with potentially serious bleeding complications, as well as challenges in maintaining a therapeutic level (3). Antiplatelet agents, although less effective than oral anticoagulants, have better safety profiles and are easier to administer (3). Selecting ...References1. Wolf PA, Abbott RD, Kannel WB. Atrial fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: the Framingham Study. Stroke. 1991;22:983-8. [PMID: 1866765] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Lin HJ, Wolf PA, Kelly-Hayes M, Beiser AS, Kase CS, Benjamin EJ, et al. Stroke severity in atrial fibrillation. The Framingham Study. Stroke. 1996;27:1760-4. [PMID: 8841325] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Hart RG, Pearce LA, Aguilar MI. Meta-analysis: antithrombotic therapy to prevent stroke in patients who have nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146:857-67. 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[PMID: 19683639] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143.Disclosures: None disclosed. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M11-2187.Corresponding Author: Margaret C. Fang, MD, MPH, Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 533 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0131, San Francisco, CA 94143; e-mail, [email protected]ucsf.edu. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoNet Clinical Benefit of Adding Clopidogrel to Aspirin Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation for Whom Vitamin K Antagonists Are Unsuitable Stuart J. Connolly , John W. Eikelboom , Jennifer Ng , Jack Hirsh , Salim Yusuf , Janice Pogue , Raffaele de Caterina , Stefan Hohnloser , Robert G. Hart , and Metrics 1 November 2011Volume 155, Issue 9Page: 636-637KeywordsAnticoagulant therapyAnticoagulantsAtrial fibrillationHemorrhageHemorrhagic strokeIschemic strokeOral antiplatelet therapyPopulation statisticsStroke ePublished: 1 November 2011 Issue Published: 1 November 2011 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2011 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...