Trends in Oral Anticoagulant Choice for Acute Stroke Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation in Japan: The SAMURAI-NVAF Study

Warfarin use at acute hospital discharge was still common in the initial years after approval of nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, although nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant users increased gradually. The index stroke was milder and ischemia-risk indices were lower in nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant users than in warfarin users. Early initiation of nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants seemed safe.