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The clinical efficacy of dabigatran etexilate for preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation patients

Authors Ellis CR, Kaiser D

Received 27 March 2013

Accepted for publication 22 May 2013

Published 9 July 2013 Volume 2013:9 Pages 341—352

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S28271

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Christopher R Ellis, Daniel W Kaiser

Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, TN, USA

Abstract: The use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for stroke and systemic embolism prevention in the setting of specifically non valvular atrial fibrillation has provided clinicians with a realistic treatment alternative to the traditional dose-adjusted, warfarin-based anticoagulation that is targeted to a therapeutic international normalized ratio range of 2.0–3.0. We discuss the use of dabigatran in the setting of mechanical heart valves, atrial fibrillation or left atrial catheter ablation procedures, reversal of the drug in the setting of adverse bleeding events, and background on the molecular biology and development of this novel treatment for stroke reduction.

Keywords: NOACs, systemic embolism, atrial fibrillation, stroke, dabigatran etexilate

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