# Atrial fibrillation stroke prevention research > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/atrial-fibrillation-stroke-prevention-research > Updated: 2026-09-02T00:12:57.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Clinical research has increasingly supported the use of oral anticoagulants (OAC) for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at intermediate risk. Initial data from the SINGLE-AF trial indicated that direct oral anticoagulants, such as apixaban and rivaroxaban, reduce the risk of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, and cardiovascular death. A meta-analysis published in JAMA Cardiology further suggested that transcatheter left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) should not be a routine first-line alternative to OAC, as it was associated with a 34% higher risk of ischemic stroke compared to anticoagulation. Subsequent findings from a 24-month randomized clinical trial involving 1,803 patients in South Korea, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, reinforced these conclusions. The study demonstrated that patients receiving anticoagulant therapy had a 69% lower cumulative risk of major clinical events and a 90% lower risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism compared to untreated groups, while maintaining similar major bleeding rates. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: Severance Hospital study finds anticoagulants reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients A clinical study from Severance Cardiovascular Hospital shows that anticoagulants reduce stroke and embolism risks by up to 90% in atrial fibrillation patients with intermediate risk levels. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/severance-hospital-study-finds-anticoagulants-reduce-stroke-risk-in-atrial-fibrillation-patients ### 2026-08-28: Oral anticoagulants reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients Clinical studies confirm that oral anticoagulants effectively reduce stroke and mortality risk in intermediate-risk atrial fibrillation patients, while LAAC is not recommended as a first-line alternative. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oral-anticoagulants-reduce-stroke-risk-in-atrial-fibrillation-patients --- Cite as: Atrial fibrillation stroke prevention research. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/atrial-fibrillation-stroke-prevention-research