 Recently, several new drugs that can block coagulation have been discovered, and are appropriately named novel anticoagulants NOAC. These new drugs include direct thrombin factor IIa inhibitors, such as dabigatran, and inhibitors of factor Xa, such as rivaroxaban and apixaban. In contrast to warfarin, they block a single step in the coagulation cascade. The dosing of these drugs does not have to be adjusted based on laboratory tests, like warfarin. Stable concentrations of these drugs are achieved by once or twice daily dosing, according to their half-lives. Dosing only needs to be adjusted when there is significant comorbidity i.e. renal or liver function and no dietary restrictions are needed. In large prospective multicenter studies, NOAC were non-inferior to warfarin, i.e. prevention of systemic cardioembolic events was similar between patients treated by warfarin and NOAC. 10 11 12 13 Additionally, NOAC were associated with slightly better safety profiles relative to the lower frequency of intracranial bleeding. 10 11 12 13 