Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic thromboprophylactic strategies in atrial fibrillation.

Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (SPAF) has traditionally been confined to aspirin and warfarin therapy. Based on CHADS2 scoring it was clearly delineated when aspirin and warfarin would be used in individual patients, but many patients had to forgo recommended therapy due to contraindications or adverse events. There has recently been a paradigm shift in SPAF, with new and promising options on the horizon.