For long-term treatment and prevention of arterial and venous thromboembolic diseases, oral vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been the only oral anticoagulant option for more than half a century. Under optimal conditions, VKA treatment is effective and safe provided that a stable level of anticoagulation can be achieved, as reflected by good compliance and a high time in therapeutic range (1). ...

BACKGROUND Four new oral anticoagulants compare favourably with warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation; however, the balance between efficacy and safety in subgroups needs better definition. We aimed to assess the relative benefit of new oral anticoagulants in key subgroups, and the effects on important secondary outcomes. METHODS We searched Medline from Jan 1, 2...