Atrial fibrillation, otherwise known as AFib or AF, is a condition in which the heart beats irregularly. This irregular beating can lead to blood clot formation in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). If the blood clot breaks free, it can move into the brain, restricting blood flow access to the brain cells. This is what causes a stroke.
Most of the time, atrial fibrillation is treated with blood thinners, often in the form of . However, blood thinners such as can increase the risk of bleeding. This is because blood thinners prevent blood clots from forming. Although this is the goal in the heart, it is not always ideal elsewhere in the body.
New Oral Drugs for the Treatment of AFib
There have been several new blood thinners (anticoagulants) approved by the FDA. The new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are taken orally and do not have to be as closely monitored as does. NOACs have been shown to be just as effective as in preventing stroke. In fact, in some cases, they have even been more effective. NOACs are also able to be effective without causing some of the problems caused by . However, it should be noted that even the new oral anticoagulants can put patients at severe risk fo bleeding.
Some of the new oral anticoagulants include (), (), and ().
is a direct thrombin inhibitor. Thrombin is an enzyme that is responsible for converting soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin. Fibrin is the fibrous protein that is involved in the clotting of blood. It forms a mesh—a clot—around a wound. prevents this from happening.
was approved by the FDA in November 2011. For some patients, works better than . It is classified as a Xa inhibitor (xabans).
In December 2012, became the third FDA-approved oral anticoagulant used in lowering the risk of stroke and embolism in individuals with nonvalvular AFib.
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Posted on March 24, 2023