New oral anticoagulants in the prevention of stroke

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is associated with a few folds higher risk of stroke. Traditional vitamin K antagonists used in the prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation are often not efficient enough due to their interactions with a broad range of substances including medicines or food ingridients and problems with monitoring the treatment. New oral anticoagulants pose an alternative for the vitamin K antagonists. They are equally efficient in the prevention of stroke, but are safer and have no requirement for routine coagulation monitoring. We present a case of a patient with atrial fibrillation, high risk of tromboembolism and recurring episodes of hemorrhages. Considering the possible complications, rivaroxaban was administered.

The bidirectional relationship between chronic kidney disease and atrial fibrillation does not occur in elderly female outpatients

“…It should also be remembered that cardiovascular treatment, including the prevention of AF, can be more difficult in patients with concomitant CKD, for example. The use of oral anticoagulants (especially vitamin K antagonists) in the group of CKD patients is questionable because their risks and benefits are uncertain and in some cases their dosages should be decreased [24,25].…”