Background Atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke. We investigated whether active screening for atrial fibrillation in secondary care, followed by careful evaluation of risk factors and communication to general practitioners from stroke specialists, could increase appropriate anticoagulation prescription.
For the first time in 50 years new oral anticoagulants of proven efficacy and with acceptable safety profiles are available for patients with atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. Here is a brief overview of the benefits and possible disadvantages of using these drugs.
KEYWORDS Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, anticoagulation, atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism
DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS No conflicts of interest declared.
We report an unusual case of calcification of mitral valve annulus imaged with multiple non-invasive modalities in a patient who suffered a transient ischaemic attack, probably from thrombus overlying the mitral annular calcification. Both this mode of presentation and the imaging features of the annular calcification were relatively unusual, and the images obtained are remarkably clear and diagnostic.
Keywords Anticoagulation, caseous mitral annular calcification, embolism, multimodality imaging, stroke, transient ischaemic attack
