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Aspirin reduces stroke and major vascular events in patients with nonvalvular AF similar to its effect in other high-risk patients (ie, by ?25%). For primary prevention among AF patients with an average stroke rate or 4% per year, ?10 strokes would likely be prevented yearly for every 1000 AF patients given aspirin. The benefits of APT are modest compared with adjusted-dose warfarin, but APT is relatively safe, easy to take, and therefore an important treatment option for many AF patients. Anticoagulation with warfarin and related drugs offers more protection against stroke (nearly two-thirds reduction), but anticoagulant drugs can cause severe bleeding and require careful regulation with regular blood tests. |
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