Review Article-Special issue: ThrombosisStroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation-anticoagulation strategy 2012

Vitamin K antagonists have been recommended as the only available oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation for many years. Despite their proved effectiveness, there are several limitations and drawbacks of this therapy. Recently three major clinical trials of novel oral anticoagulants clinical trials have been published. Dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, as well as rivaroxaban and apixaban, direct Xa factor inhibitors, were found to have at least noninferior efficacy and safety in comparison to vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular fibrillation. These novel oral anticoagulants may constitute a valuable alternative to vitamin K antagonists.