The King is Dead (Warfarin): Direct Thrombin and Factor Xa Inhibitors: The Next Diadochian War?

Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for stroke. New drugs for oral anticoagulation that do not exhibit the limitations of vitamin K antagonists like warfarin are under investigation. These include direct factor Xa inhibitors and direct thrombin-inhibitors. Recent studies provide promising results for apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban, including higher efficacy and significantly lower incidences of intracranial bleeds compared …