Ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving oral anticoagulation

Abstract: Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common cause of embolic stroke associated to heart disease. Oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists substantially reduces this risk.Aims: We assessed a group of patients with prior diagnosis of atrial fibrillation who sustained an ischemic stroke while receiving an adequate regime of oral anticoagulation.Methods: We evaluated consecutive patients with ischemic stroke and prior diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. We determined demographics, clinical characteristics, TOAST stroke subtypes, CHADS2 scores, and prior or concomitant use of oral anticoagulants.Results: We studied 112 patients. Thirty nine of them (35%) had received an adequate dose of a vitamin K antagonist during the 24-hour period preceding the stroke. There were no differences in demographics, vascular risk factors, CHADS2 scores, nor medications use between patients who were or were not receiving anticoagulation. Other potential etiologies for stroke occurrence were found in 8 (21%) anticoagulated patients, and in 3 (4%) non-anticoagulated subjects (p
Source: Journal of the Neurological Sciences - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research