Emerging Tools for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

• Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or non-VKA oral anticoagulants should be used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
• Antiplatelet agents should not be prescribed solely for thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation.
• Stroke risk should be assessed using the CHA2DS2-VASc score, and bleeding risk with the HAS-BLED score.
• The net clinical benefit favours oral anticoagulation with non-VKA oral anticoagulants in presence of at least 1 risk factor.

Ischaemic strokes resulting from atrial fibrillation (AF) constitute a devastating condition for patients and their carers with huge burden on health care systems. Prophylactic treatment against systemic embolization and ischaemic strokes is the cornerstone for the management of AF. Effective stroke prevention requires the use of the vitamin K antagonists or non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs). This article summarises the latest developments in the field of stroke prevention in AF and aims to assist physicians with the choice of oral anticoagulant for patients with non-valvular AF with different risk factor profile.