Warfarin has long been considered the gold standard for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, three major trials comparing the efficacy and safety of new
drugs: a thrombin inhibitor dabigatran and two inhibitors of factor Xa — rivaroxaban and
apixaban, with that of warfarin, have been published. The aim of this paper is to present the
main results of the RE-LY, ROCKET AF and ARISTOTLE trials, compare study populations
and outcomes, and discuss clinical implications of their results for the long-term anticoagulation
in patients with nonvalvular AF. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 1: 4–10
