Treatment strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation typically involve pharmacologic or interventional invasive therapies to suppress the rhythm, control ventricular contraction rates, or prevent thromboembolic complications. Current therapies used for rhythm conversion in atrial fibrillation may have undesirable risks or side effects that limit this approach. Lifelong anticoagulation may be necessary to prevent the formation of thrombus in the left atrial chamber that can travel into the cerebral circulation to cause a stroke. Currently, warfarin is the most commonly prescribed anticoagulant for this purpose. Unfortunately, many patients with atrial fibrillation may not receive warfarin because of the difficulties in dosing and maintaining desirable target goals. The oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran has several pharmacologic properties that provide a unique and potentially desirable treatment option. Clinical studies have demonstrated that ximelagatran, administered in twice-daily doses of 36 mg, is non-inferior to warfarin for thromboprophylaxis against stroke or systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation. The pharmacology of ximelagatran and clinical trials with its use in atrial fibrillation is reviewed.
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