Thromboprophylaxis is the mainstay of stroke prevention
in patients with AF. Based on clinical practice
guidelines published by the American College of Cardi ology,
the American Heart Association, the American
College of Chest Physicians, and the European Society
of Cardiology, patients with AF should generally receive
an anticoagulant (usually a vitamin K antagonist) or
antiplatelet regimen (usually acetylsalicylic acid),
depending on their risk for stroke and serious bleeding.
Long-term therapy with a vitamin K antagonist
can reduce the risk for stroke by between 62% and 68%
in patients with nonvalvular AF.