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Published on: February 28, 2012
New oral anticoagulants for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
Amber Holden1, Nassir Azimi, Christopher P Forest
1Amber Holden practices at Rancho Family Medical Group in Temecula, Calif. Nassir Azimi is chair of medicine and co-chair of the endovascular committee at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, Calif., a partner in the La Mesa Cardiac Center, a member of the San Diego County Cardiovascular Advisory Committee, and a clinical faculty member at Midwestern School of Medicine in Glendale, Ariz. Christopher P. Forest is an assistant professor of clinical family medicine and director of research at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine and practices urgent care and family medicine in Los Angeles, Calif. Dr. Azimi discloses that he receives payment to speak about rivaroxaban and dabigatran. The other authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Abstract:
Four new oral anticoagulants have been approved for reducing stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Compared with warfarin, these agents offer a more predictable dose response with fewer food and drug interactions and no regular blood monitoring, although some of the drugs have an increased risk of major gastrointestinal bleeding. This article reviews the new drugs.
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