An Overview on Evolving Role, Unmet Needs and Grey Areas in Anticoagulation in Cardiac Patients

Abstract

A number of cardiovascular diseases can be treated with anticoagulation, including acute myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial arrhythmias, and mechanical heart valve patients. As a result of conflicting data supporting established agents and the rapid evolution of evidence-based practice that parallels the widespread use of new oral anticoagulants, clinical anticoagulation choices vary widely in the aforementioned diseases. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are discussed in this review, which summarizes evidence-based guidelines for their use in cardiovascular disease.