Direct oral anticoagulants: new guidelines and implication in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation
Abstract
Parole chiave: Fibrillazione atriale; Anticoagulanti orali diretti (DOACs); Prevenzione dell’ictus; Stratificazione del rischio.
Abstract
The advent of Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) has profoundly changed the therapeutic landscape of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), gradually replacing vitamin K antagonists thanks to a superior efficacy and safety profile, easier management, and fewer drug interactions.The 2024 ESC Guidelines confirm the central role of DOACs and introduce new tools for thromboembolic risk stratification, such as the CHA₂DS₂-VA score, simplifying treatment choices. At the same time, the concept of integrated and dynamic patient management is strengthened, including comorbidity control, symptom optimization, and the increasingly early use of ablation in symptomatic patients.This article analyzes in detail the key changes introduced by the new guidelines and their implications in daily clinical practice.
Key words: Atrial fibrillation; Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs); Stroke prevention; Risk stratification.