Applying antithrombotic therapies to improve outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Approximately 15% to 25% or 75,000 ischemic strokes are attributed to atrial fibrillation annually within the United States. Atrial fibrillation is the most frequently diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia and affects more than 2.66 million Americans. Moreover, atrial fibrillation is associated with a 1.5 to 1.9-fold higher risk of death due to its strong correlation with thromboembolic events. Because of the attributed increased morbidity and mortality, challenges that concern identification of patients at risk for thromboembolic events from atrial fibrillation must be addressed. These challenges include compliance to performance measures, adherence to guidelines, adequate prevention and early control of co-morbidities that affect the progression of atrial fibrillation and associated risks, early initiation of treatment, and successful evaluation of associated risks of bleeding, primary or recurrent stroke, and patient awareness and compliance. This multimedia educational webcast will discuss the state of affairs with respect to antithrombotic therapies and new anticoagulants. The webcast will also review factors influencing physician use of anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation. Clinical decision making and lessons learned from the expert faculty is also included.