Dabigatran versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke and mortality. Guidelines recommend non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, or novel oral anticoagulants, as first choice of drug. While they do not require the meticulous dose adjustments that are required for warfarin, a clinical evaluation of appropriate dose is still necessary. Age and chronic kidney disease in patients with atrial fibrillation increase the risk of bleeding during anti-thrombotic treatment.