New oral anticoagulants for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Four new oral anticoagulants have been approved for reducing stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Compared with warfarin, these agents offer a more predictable dose response with fewer food and drug interactions and no regular blood monitoring, although some of the drugs have an increased risk of major gastrointestinal bleeding. This article reviews the new drugs.