Optimizing Management of Atrial Fibrillation Patients Through Safe and Effective Oral

Anticoagulants

Name

Worldwide, Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in

adults that typically increases with age. AF is associated with significant morbidity and

mortality, largely due to thromboembolism, particularly stroke. As a consequence, it generates a

significant burden to patients, physicians, and healthcare systems globally.

The primary approach for managing atrial fibrillation is to prevent stroke and systemic

thromboembolism. Multiple risk assessment models for stroke and systemic thromboembolism

are currently available. Once at-risk patients are identified, oral anticoagulants (OACs) are the

primary medical therapy for preventing stroke.

When prescribing oral anticoagulants (OACs), the selection should be tailored to the

individual based on their health problems and vulnerability because the benefits and risks of

OACs can differ greatly among various groups at risk. The decision-making process should take

patient preferences, their individual conditions, such as coexisting illnesses and the possibility of

medication interactions into account. Even though OACs are known to have many advantages,

patient safety is still a top concern for all healthcare practitioners involved in prescribing,

dispensing, and monitoring the use of OACs.

The management of AF requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach due to its

complexity and therefore streamlining the care of patients with AF in daily clinical practice is

challenging but essential to attain an effective management for AF patients.