How long will coumidin be needed?

After a (small) stroke conjectured to have been caused by atrial febrillation (accompanied by a heart rate of 160 (3x her normal rate)), my wife had a pacemaker implanted and is now on coumidin, digoxin, and metoprolol.  In a brief phone conversation with her doctor, she asked how long she'd be on the coumidin.  He responded, "forever."

My question is this, since the blood clot that caused the stroke was apparently caused by the heart problem, would not her now having a pacemaker prevent a recurrence of the atrial fibrillation?  And IF your answer is yes, then why would she need to be on the blood thinner for the rest of our life?

[Jerry_NJ]

I do not believe the pacemaker guarantees there will be no recurrence of AFib.  The question of how much protection is needed depends on risk factors.  I'm not sure how a stroke counts in this regard, but the "conjecture" of AFib is one factor...I assume there is no present state of AFib.  

Again, based on risk factors (usually) doctors may prescribe just the use of aspirin for clot risk reduction.  I take both Warfarin and aspirin myself, but I have lots of risk factors, including continuous AFib.  

[twinbee]

I was told by my EP that if I needed a pacemaker I would have to be on coumadin for the rest of my life. Thankfully, I didn't need one.