It's better because you don't need the lab monitoring. But....it has a higher risk of GI bleed than warfarin. Also not for anyone with kidney problems. I don't think it can be reversed as quickly as warfarin either. Vit K will conteract warfarin quickly in the event of emergency surgery being needed, or for an INR that goes sky high. It is also not as likely to be covered by insurances and very expensive.
If you have healthy kidneys, and no history of GI problems, ulcers, etc. and especially if you have difficulty with keeping your INR in range it is an alternative.

Since I have GERD I declined to go Pradaxa due to increased bleeding episodes. My insurance brought it down to $61 a month versus $4 for wararin. When I found out about increased bleeding episodes I got scared and asked the pharmacy to fill the warfarin instead. The following discuss the advantages vs. the disadvantages of this drug. Hope this helps:)

The Advantages of Dabigatran
Dabigatran is a pill taken twice daily as a fixed dose. It is immediately effective, versus the slow, several day onset for warfarin. No monitoring is required: no blood tests. It doesnt interact with foods. It only interacts with a few drugs that affect levels of P-glycoprotein (such as rifampin, verapamil, and ketoconazole). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that it is more effective than warfarin in reducing strokes and embolism and that it is less likely than warfarin to cause major bleeding complications. The difference is relatively small: the number of patients who would need to be treated (NNT) with dabigatran (rather than warfarin) to prevent one hemorrhagic stroke is approximately 370.

The Disadvantages of Dabigatran
It must be taken twice a day instead of once. Consistent timing of doses is important, because its effects wear off quickly compared to warfarin (its half-life is 12-17 hours vs. 20-60 hours for warfarin). It is more likely to cause dyspepsia (indigestion) and gastritis, and has a higher rate of major gastrointestinal bleeding (1.51% compared to 1.02% for warfarin). It costs about ten times as much as warfarin, around $200 a month.

My cardio dr said that this would be a good alternative to warfarin since blood testing would not be necessary and you wouldn't have to worry about eating foods high in vitamin K -- BUT he said that it would be more expensive (no generics yet) and the schedule for taking it is VERY rigid. Every 12 hours to the minute. If you are still having episodes and are at risk for stroke (I already had a mini stroke) this would leave you unprotected at the end of 12 hours. I elected to stay with warfarin. Hope this helps. Joan