Of all the consequences of AFib that were listed In Figure 3, it was the thromboembolic consequences that are the emphasis of this presentation.  The right-hand column in the Figure shows the large number of coagulation factors that are active in the altered thrombogenicity that occurs with AFib.  It can be seen that only a few involve the platelets, and this illustrates why aspirin, or any of the more recent antiplatelet agents, alone or in combination, cannot and have not and will not be as effective in preventing stroke compared to the efficiency and efficacy of true anticoagulation compounds, especially the new oral anticoagulation agents that are seen as replacing warfarin and that will be the focus of the other presentations in this publication. 

Reiffel JA. Am J Med 2013; 126: 00-00.