Abstract
Prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atrial fibrillation are increasing in step with the aging of the population in Japan. Both of them that link each other are independent risk factors of ischemic stroke, and CKD is also an important risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke. Therefore, controversies still exist as to the indication of anticoagulant therapy for patients with CKD. Safety and value of anticoagulation, especially in patients with advanced stages of CKD, remain to be proven. On the other hand, recent data suggest that patients with non-end stage CKD might take advantage of well-controlled warfarin or novel anticoagulants. Clinicians should ponder indication of anticoagulants for CKD patients and keep an eye on the kidney function during anticoagulant therapy.
