In a recent study published in the field of Cardiology, it has been found that apixaban, a type of oral anticoagulant, significantly lowers the risk of stroke or systemic embolism in patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation. This finding is significant as subclinical atrial fibrillation, which may have no symptoms or produce only short-lasting symptoms, is associated with an increased risk of stroke or systemic embolism. The study compared the efficacy of apixaban to aspirin in patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation and CHA2D2-VASc score ≥3. The results showed that apixaban resulted in a lower risk of stroke or systemic embolism compared to aspirin, over a mean follow-up of 3.5 years. However, it is important to note that apixaban was also associated with a higher risk of major bleeding than aspirin.

The study, a randomized controlled trial, included patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation lasting between six minutes and 24 hours, as detected by an implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, or cardiac monitor. The findings demonstrate the potential benefits of using apixaban over aspirin in preventing stroke and systemic embolism in patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation, even when considering the risk of bleeding.

While the study results are promising, it is important to consider that the findings were limited to patients with implanted cardiac electronic devices. Further research and clinical trials may be needed to validate the efficacy and safety of apixaban in a broader population of patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation.

Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the use of oral anticoagulants in patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation and highlights the potential of apixaban in reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in this population.