Long‐term warfarin use to prevent both stroke and dementia in subjects with atrial fibrillation?

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and the leading cause of cardioembolic stroke [1,2]. Emboli to the brain are ‘red’ thrombi forming in the left appendage, where stasis of blood plays a major role in thrombus formation [3]. Possible contributors are left atrial enlargement and loss of atrial contraction, ventricular diastolic dysfunction related to associated hypertension, and poor left ventricular function [4]. It is noteworthy that both hypertension and heart failure are major risk factors for stroke in patients with AF and that their rate increases with age.