Optimizing anticoagulant therapy in non-Valvular atrial fibrillation

Abstract

T he prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is estimated to be around 3% of the population above 20 years of age, and increases with age, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Besides a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in mortality in people suffering from AF, they also have an increase in morbidity from heart failure and stroke. In fact, 20-30% of all ischaemic strokes are thought to be secondary to AF. The CHA2 DS2 -VASc score is a useful tool to quantify the yearly risk of stroke. One should note that the risk of stroke is independent of whether the AF is paroxysmal, persistent or permanent.