Dabigatran: will it change clinical practice?

Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is a new oral anticoagulant approved in the United States for the primary prevention of stroke and systemic embolization in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. It offers clinicians an alternative to warfarin (Coumadin), and it has received considerable interest because of its convenience of use, clinical efficacy, and safety profile. However, it is more expensive, and this may limit its widespread use.