Stroke Prevention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Host: Doug Weaver, MD Guest: John A. Cairns, MD Long-term anticoagulation is often viewed as inconvenient and somewhat risky, even for patients with atrial fibrillation who are at elevated risk for stroke. Are these factors overshadowing the evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy in preventing stroke? Dr. John Cairns, professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the University of British Columbia in Canada, talks with host Dr. Doug Weaver about stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation. Is it safe to stop anticoagulant therapy in this population, and if so, when should this decision be considered?