NOACs vs. Warfarin for Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a heart arrhythmia associated with increased risk for ischemic stroke. Vitamin K antagonists were developed to decrease a patient's clotting risk; however, these medications require therapeutic monitoring and have several drug interactions. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were developed as an alternative to vitamin K antagonists and several studies have evaluated the ability of NOAC to decrease clotting as well as the risk of major bleeding in comparison to vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin. This study has found that NOACs are as effective as warfarin in reducing stroke and systemic embolism through anticoagulation. Notably, NOACs have a decreased risk of significant bleeding and other secondary adverse events.