Anticoagulation: Stroke Prevention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
It is well recognized that during atrial fibrillation (AF), clots may form in the left atrium. This, in turn, may lead to embolization of the clot, with resulting ischemic stroke or systemic embolism. Also, the presence of AF confers a fivefold increased risk for stroke. AF is the most common and important cause of stroke resulting from any cause. This article considers the risks for and anticoagulation prophylaxis against embolic stroke in patients with AF.
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
Division of Cardiology, MS LKS 5038, University Hospitals of Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-5038.
Supported in part by Grant R01 HL38408 from the United States Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and Grant BRTT/WCI TECH 05-066 from the Ohio Wright Center of Innovations, a Third Frontier program from The State of Ohio, Columbus, OH.
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