How can atrial fibrillation be treated?
The first goal in treatment of atrial fibrillation is stroke prevention. For many patients, this means use of the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin). Use of warfarin requires careful blood test monitoring, but will prevent the majority of strokes from atrial fibrillation. Taking blood thinners has risks, but multiple research studies show that the benefits of stroke prevention far outweigh these risks. At the Atrial Fibrillation Institute, we also have investigational blood thinners available as part of research trials that have some practical advantages over warfarin and we can assess your candidacy for these trials if you would like. There are other patients whose age, medical history and infrequency of atrial fibrillation episodes suggest low stroke risk and aspirin may be used. Finally, some patients may not be good warfarin candidates because they are at very high risk of serious bleeding, cannot get follow-up blood tests or are at high risk for falls. It is important to understand
