Corporate Magazine 2012 - Boehringer Ingelheim

HOW ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AF)LEADS TO STROKEAF leads to serious secondary diseases.Blood clots (thrombi) can form in theatria that can dislodge and travel inthe bloodstream, potentially blockingblood vessels in the brain and leadingto ischaemic stroke.541 Embolus (clot) forms2 Atrial fibrillation in the left atrium3 Embolus (clot) enters blood streamand travels towards brain4 Embolus blocks blood flow to partof the brain5 Brain starved of oxygen leadingto stroke and brain damage321REDUCING STROKE RISK INATRIAL FIBRILLATIONFor patients with the cardiac arrhythmia atrial fibrillation (AF) anticoagulationtherapy is essential for stroke prevention. pradaxa®(dabigatran etexilate) belongs to a new generation of oral anticoagulants,which are fundamentally reshaping the medical landscapeby significantly reducing thrombo-embolic events.Strokes happen in AF when pools ofblood form in the heart due to failureof the atria to contract properly. Bloodsticks together in the atria and formsclots, which can travel through thebloodstream and block blood flow to thebrain, causing a stroke. Approximately92% of AF-related strokes are ischaemic.They tend to be severe, with an increasedprobability of death and disability.A stroke can change everything in amoment for patients and their families.The best protection against stroke isknowledge of the disease and appropriatetreatment. Anticoagulation therapyis essential for stroke prevention in AFpatients.Atrial fibrillation and stroke –an unholy allianceThe most common cardiac arrhythmiaatrial fibrillation increases the risk ofstroke by a factor of five. AF causes theheart to beat too fast, too slow or withan irregular rhythm.Up to three million people worldwidesuffer strokes related to AF each year.Appropriate anticoagulation therapycan help to prevent AF-related strokesand improve overall patient outcomes.Over one million patient-yearsClinical experience of pradaxa®, an anticoagulantfrom the class of the directthrombin inhibitors, is considerable andcontinues to grow, reaching over onemillion patient-years in the year 2012(including all licensed indications in over80 countries), and provides the greatestbody of clinical experience for pradaxa®of all novel oral anticoagulants.70Boehringer Ingelheim annual report 2012