Antithrombotic strategies for atrial fibrillation with coronary heart disease

Embolism and thrombosis are common complications of both atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Antithrombotic treatment is therefore very important for patients with CHD and AF. Oral anticoagulants are critical in protecting AF patients from ischemic stroke, and long-term anti-platelet treatment is required for CHD patients to reduce coronary events. For AF patients with CHD, how to balance the benefit and the bleeding risk along with anticoagulation and/or (combined) anti-platelet treatment has become the focus of clinical discussion. In this paper, we presented a detailed overview of antithrombotic strategies for AF patients with CHD according to the ESC Guidelines for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation 2010 and current clinical evidence.