Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
23:33
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
84.2K
Preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation
1Leslie L. Davis, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAANP, FAHA, is an assistant professor of Nursing at University of North Carolina, Greensboro School of Nursing, Greensboro, N.C.
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing : DCCN
|February 6, 2014
Summary
Adults with atrial fibrillation face higher stroke risks. New oral antithrombotic drugs offer options to prevent stroke and other blood clots, guiding treatment for high-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation significantly elevates stroke risk in adults.
- Thromboembolic events are a major complication for patients with atrial fibrillation.
- Advances in anticoagulant therapies are crucial for managing this patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated overview of treatment considerations for adults with atrial fibrillation.
- To discuss the role of new oral antithrombotic agents in stroke prevention.
- To guide clinicians in selecting optimal therapies for high-risk patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention.
- Analysis of factors influencing treatment decisions for antithrombotic therapy.
- Discussion of emerging oral antithrombotic agents and their clinical applications.
Main Results:
- New oral antithrombotic agents present viable alternatives for stroke prevention.
- Individual patient factors are critical in tailoring antithrombotic treatment strategies.
- Effective management can significantly reduce the incidence of stroke and thromboembolic events.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing antithrombotic therapy is key to improving outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients.
- Clinicians must carefully weigh treatment options to mitigate stroke risk.
- The integration of novel anticoagulants enhances the therapeutic armamentarium against thromboembolism.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management
611
Nursing management for a patient with arteriosclerosis involves a comprehensive approach focusing on lifestyle modification, disease monitoring, education, and symptomatic care. Here is an overview of effective nursing strategies:Assessment and Monitoring: Initial and ongoing assessments are crucial. Nurses must document the patient's medical history, including any hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and other cardiovascular diseases. Assessments also cover family history and lifestyle...
611
01:25Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
597
Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...
597
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
741
Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
741
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
482
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
482
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
890
Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
890
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
655
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
655