Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
The association between antithrombotic drug regimen changes and clinical outcomes after stroke in atrial fibrillation
Authors' conclusion
NOAC alone after stroke was associated with a better clinical outcome compared with nonanticoagulation, AP, or warfarin.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with AF experiencing ischemic stroke
- Participants
- 23,165 patients
- Exposure
- Post-stroke antithrombotic regimens vs NOAC
- Outcome
- Ischemic stroke, mortality and major bleeding by post-stroke regimen
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
aHR
- Nonanticoagulated · ischemic stroke
- 2.09
- Nonanticoagulated · mortality
- 3.92
- APs · ischemic stroke
- 1.32
- APs · mortality
- 1.28
- Warfarin · major bleeding
- 1.23
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | aHR |
|---|---|
| Switching to a different NOAC vs same NOAC after stroke (NOAC before and after stroke)Different NOAC vs Same NOAC · ischemic stroke | 2.07 |
| Switching to a different NOAC vs same NOAC after stroke (NOAC before and after stroke)Different NOAC vs Same NOAC · composite outcomes | 1.36-1.85 |
- Switching to a different NOAC vs same NOAC after stroke (NOAC before and after stroke): 769 patients on NOACs before and after stroke
Prescribing pattern after stroke in those nonanticoagulated before stroke
- Remained nonanticoagulated
- 33.5%
- Prescribed only APs
- 39.2%
Switching to a different NOAC vs same NOAC after stroke (NOAC before and after stroke)
- No difference in intracranial hemorrhage, major bleeding or mortality
NOAC plus AP vs NOAC alone (NOAC before stroke)
- Risks of clinical events similar
Original publication
The association between antithrombotic drug regimen changes and clinical outcomes after stroke in atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm. Published 31 July 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →