An economic analysis performed in the UK has indicated that dabigatran etexilate is likely to be a cost-effective first-line treatment for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. For patients aged <80 years, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for dabigatran were £4,831 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained compared with warfarin and £3,457 per QALY gained compared with aspirin. In patients aged ≥80 years, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for dabigatran was £7,090 per QALY gained when compared with warfarin.