Update and Unmet Needs on the Use of Nonvitamin K Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

The landscape of stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is rapidly changing after the introduction of nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) that are replacing in many countries the use of vitamin K antagonists in virtue of their similar efficacy and better safety. The European Heart Rhythm Association has proposed a new classification for AF patients with valvular heart disease (VHD), which has clinical implications for the most appropriate choice of antithrombotic strategy. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence is available on the use of NOACs in patients with VHD. Beyond VHD, several other factors may help tailoring the antithrombotic therapy to the characteristics of patients. Thus, a new risk factors-based approach to improve the management of AF patients, namely Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway has been recently proposed. This includes “A” avoid stroke by adequate anticoagulant therapy, “B” better control of symptoms related to AF, and “C” optimal management of comorbidities focusing on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Another recent update regards the use of NOACs in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization, where the association of NOACs with antiplatelet offers a new safe option in the first period after the procedure. Finally, there are still some patients in whom NOACs have not been systematically studied, and the clinician has to decide whether to prescribe or not NOACs balancing the risk of bleeding and stroke. This review aims to summarize the most recent evidence to consider when choosing an anticoagulant therapy in AF patients.