Thromb Haemost 2014; 111(05): 783-788
DOI: 10.1160/TH13-12-1032
Theme Issue Article
Schattauer GmbH

Gaps in translation from trials to practice: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation

Elaine M. Hylek
1   Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
,
Darae Ko
1   Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
,
Christina L. Cove
1   Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
› Author Affiliations

Financial support: This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)–sponsored Boston University Medical Center Leadership Program in Vascular Medicine K12 HL083781 grant support to Drs Cove and Hylek. Dr Hylek also receives funding from the NIH: 1RO1NS070307.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 18 December 2013

Accepted after minor revision: 07 February 2014

Publication Date:
21 November 2017 (online)

Preview

Summary

Worldwide there is a tremendous need for affordable anticoagulants that do not require monitoring. The advent of the non-warfarin oral anticoagulant drugs represents a major advance for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). The objectives of this review are to 1) identify gaps in our current knowledge regarding use of these single target anticoagulant drugs; 2) outline the potential implications of these gaps for clinical practice, and thereby, 3) highlight areas of research to further optimise their use for stroke prevention in AF.