Approach to the new oral anticoagulants in family practice: part 2: addressing frequently asked questions.

Objective: To address common "what if" questions that arise relating to the long-term clinical follow-up and management of patients receiving the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Sources Of Information: For this narrative review, we searched the PubMed database for recent (January 2008 to week 32 of 2013) clinical studies relating to NOAC use for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. We used this evidence base to address prespecified questions relating to NOAC use in primary care settings.

Approach to the new oral anticoagulants in family practice: part 1: comparing the options.

Objective: To compare key features of the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs)-dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban-and to address questions that arise when comparing the NOACs.

Sources Of Information: PubMed was searched for recent (January 2008 to week 32 of 2013) clinical studies relating to NOAC use for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) and for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Main Message: All NOACs are at least as effective as warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular AF, and are at least as safe in terms of bleeding risk according to 3 large trials.