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Atrial fibrillation in 2011

Stroke prevention in AF

In 2011, key trials with oral factor Xa inhibitors in patients with atrial fibrillation highlighted promising data on these novel anticoagulants. Patients with ≥1 stroke risk factors can be considered for oral anticoagulation. These novel, fixed-dose drugs are given without monitoring, so clinicians must learn to balance stroke and bleeding risks.

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Competing interests

G. Y. H. Lip is or has been a consultant for the following companies: Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biotronik, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, Merck, Portola Pharmaceuticals, and Sanofi. Additionally, he is or has been on the speakers bureau for Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer, and Sanofi. G. Y. H. Lip is also a director for focusAF, a nonprofit independent limited company, which has the objective of promoting independent medical education in atrial fibrillation.

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Lip, G. Stroke prevention in AF. Nat Rev Cardiol 9, 71–73 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2011.203

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