Warfarin has long been considered the gold standard for stroke prevention in 
patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, three major trials comparing 
the efficacy and safety of new drugs: a thrombin inhibitor dabigatran and two 
inhibitors of factor Xa - rivaroxaban and apixaban, with that of warfarin, have 
been published. The aim of this paper is to present the main results of the 
RE-LY, ROCKET AF and ARISTOTLE trials, compare study populations and outcomes, 
and discuss clinical implications of their results for the long-term 
anticoagulation in patients with nonvalvular AF.