The majority of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) will require 
anticoagulation therapy for reducing the risk of stroke, the most devastating 
complication of AF. Although traditionally vitamin K antagonists have been used 
for this purpose, they have important limitations that interfere with their use 
in clinical practice. Different clinical trials have shown the benefits of new 
oral anticoagulants over warfarin, but patients included in the ROCKET-AF trial 
were found to be at a higher risk of AF-related complications. Moreover, 
rivaroxaban has been proven to be effective and safe in patients with AF and 
moderate renal dysfunction as well as in those with ischemic heart disease. 
Rivaroxaban is taken only once daily; this may improve medication adherence and, 
secondarily, it provides a higher protection and reduction in the risk of 
stroke. This article provides an extensive review of the available evidence 
about rivaroxaban, with a special focus on nonvalvular AF.