The implementation of therapeutic anticoagulation influences the severity and outcome of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This review aims to summarize the current guideline-based recommendations about the use of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with stable CAD (SCAD), acute coronary syndromes (ACS), percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and in patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF). The implications of the use of specific NOACs, such as the direct factor Xa inhibitors apixaban and rivaroxaban as well as the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran are outlined and compared to the benefits of vitamin k antagonists and antiplatelet agents such as thienopyridines in these settings.