2021 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the Use of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

The EHRA has released an update of the 2018 version of the Practical Guide on the use of NOACs in AF. This Practical Guide is intended to provide support for safe and effective use of NOACs in daily practice. It is an supplement to ESC and other guidelines, which mainly focus on scientific evidence for treatment of patients with AF.

Although NOACs have demonstrated an improved efficacy/safety ratio, there are practical aspects to the proper use of the individual NOACs in many clinical situations. These are formulated in instructions, but can be slightly different from drug to drug and from country to county and confusion can be created by physician education tools. In addition, there are aspects of NOAC use which are not well-researched, but may be relevant in clinical practice. That is why in 2013 the Practical Guide by the EHRA was published for the first time.

Practical answers to 16 clinical scenarios (such as on NOAC eligibility and dosing; practical considerations for initiation and follow-up) were generated by a writing group. Input was provided by EHRA members, Heads of the National Cardiac Societies, and medical experts from the manufacturers of the NOACs.

Find the Practical Guide online at Europace