Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Migdady ◽  
Andrew Russman ◽  
Andrew B. Buletko
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Timing Of Initiation

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF) is an important risk factor for ischemic stroke resulting in a fivefold increased stroke risk and a twofold increased mortality. Our understanding of stroke mechanisms in AF has evolved since the concept of atrial cardiopathy was introduced as an underlying pathological change, with both AF and thromboembolism being common manifestations and outcomes. Despite the strong association with stroke, there is no evidence that screening for AF in asymptomatic patients improves clinical outcomes; however, there is strong evidence that patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source may require long-term monitoring to detect silent or paroxysmal AF. Stroke prevention in patients at risk, assessed by the CHA2DS2-VASc score, was traditionally achieved with warfarin; however, direct oral anticoagulants have solidified their role as safe and effective alternatives. Additionally, left atrial appendage exclusion has emerged as a viable option in patients intolerant of anticoagulation. When patients with AF have an acute stroke, the timing of initiation or resumption of anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention has to be balanced against the risk of hemorrhagic conversion. Multiple randomized clinical trials are currently underway to determine the best timing for administration of anticoagulants following acute ischemic stroke.

scholarly journals Direct Oral Anticoagulants after Ischemic Stroke: Which Patient? Which Drug? And How Early?

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (01) ◽  
pp. 031-034
Author(s):  
Gian Marco De Marchis
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Reversal Agents

AbstractDirect oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischemic stroke. The main advantage of DOAC over VKA is the lower rate of bleeding and mortality. This review covers challenges clinicians can encounter when treating patients with AF and ischemic stroke, including timing of DOAC start and ongoing randomized clinical trials, appropriate dosing, and available comparative evidence across DOACs. For patients without AF but with an ischemic stroke, the review outlines the role of DOACs. Finally, the risk of thrombotic events associated with specific DOAC reversal agents and DOAC pausing is reviewed.

New Avenues for Optimal Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Prevention

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gian Marco De Marchis ◽  
Luciano A. Sposato ◽  
Michael Kühne ◽  
Tolga D. Dittrich ◽  
Leo H. Bonati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion ◽  
High Risk Populations

One in 3 individuals free of atrial fibrillation (AF) at index age 55 years is estimated to develop AF later in life. AF increases not only the risk of ischemic stroke but also of dementia, even in stroke-free patients. In this review, we address recent advances in the heart-brain interaction with focus on AF. Issues discussed are (1) the timing of direct oral anticoagulants start following an ischemic stroke; (2) the comparison of direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists in early secondary stroke prevention; (3) harms of bridging with heparin before direct oral anticoagulants; (4) importance of appropriate direct oral anticoagulants dosing; (5) screening for AF in high-risk populations, including the role of wearables; (6) left atrial appendage occlusion as an alternative to oral anticoagulation; (7) the role of early rhythm-control therapy; (8) effect of lifestyle interventions on AF; (9) AF as a risk factor for dementia. An interdisciplinary approach seems appropriate to address the complex challenges posed by AF.

scholarly journals Problems of selecting an anticoagulant for secondary stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 3044
Author(s):  
V. V. Gusev ◽  
O. A. Lvova ◽  
N. A. Shamalov
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Secondary Prevention ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Special Problem ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Speech Disorders ◽  
Swallowing Disorders

The article describes the urgent problem of ischemic stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. It is proved that ischemic stroke in combination with AF is the most severe in terms of developing stable motor and speech disorders and disability. The frail older patients, as well as patients with swallowing disorders and reduced medical adherence present a special problem from this point of view. The most famous clinical studies on secondary prevention of cardioembolic stroke are RE-LY, ROCKET-AF, and ARISTOTLE. Based on subanalyses of randomized controlled trials, direct oral anticoagulants demonstrated a favorable efficacy profile in patients with atrial fibrillation and stroke/ transient ischemic attack, but the level of knowledge on each of them remained different. A number of advantages of rivaroxaban for primary and secondary prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, including the elderly and patients with cognitive impairments and swallowing disorders, have been demonstrated.

scholarly journals The Number of Concomitant Drugs and the Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Routine Care Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

TH Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
pp. e417-e426
Author(s):  
Carline J. van den Dries ◽  
Sander van Doorn ◽  
Patrick Souverein ◽  
Romin Pajouheshnia ◽  
Karel G.M. Moons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
P Value ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Mortality Effect

Abstract Background The benefit of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) on major bleeding was less prominent among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with polypharmacy in post-hoc randomized controlled trials analyses. Whether this phenomenon also exists in routine care is unknown. The aim of the study is to investigate whether the number of concomitant drugs prescribed modifies safety and effectiveness of DOACs compared with VKAs in AF patients treated in general practice. Study Design Adult, nonvalvular AF patients with a first DOAC or VKA prescription between January 2010 and July 2018 were included, using data from the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Primary outcome was major bleeding, secondary outcomes included types of major bleeding, nonmajor bleeding, ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. Effect modification was assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression, stratified for the number of concomitant drugs into three strata (0–5, 6–8, ≥9 drugs), and by including the continuous variable in an interaction term with the exposure (DOAC vs. VKA). Results A total of 63,600 patients with 146,059 person-years of follow-up were analyzed (39,840 person-years of DOAC follow-up). The median age was 76 years in both groups, the median number of concomitant drugs prescribed was 7. Overall, the hazard of major bleeding was similar between VKA-users and DOAC-users (hazard ratio [HR] 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87–1.11), though for apixaban a reduction in major bleeding was observed (HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.68–0.98). Risk of stroke was comparable, while risk of nonmajor bleeding was lower in DOAC users compared with VKA users (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.88–0.97). We did not observe any evidence for an impact of polypharmacy on the relative risk of major bleeding between VKA and DOAC across our predefined three strata of concomitant drug use (p-value for interaction = 0.65). For mortality, however, risk of mortality was highest among DOAC users, increasing with polypharmacy and independent of the type of DOAC prescribed (p-value for interaction <0.01). Conclusion In this large observational, population-wide study of AF patients, risk of bleeding, and ischemic stroke were comparable between DOACs and VKAs, irrespective of the number of concomitant drugs prescribed. In AF patients with increasing polypharmacy, our data appeared to suggest an unexplained yet increased risk of mortality in DOAC-treated patients, compared with VKA recipients.

scholarly journals A new model to predict ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation using warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants

Heart Rhythm ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 820-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
J'Neka S. Claxton ◽  
Richard F. MacLehose ◽  
Pamela L. Lutsey ◽  
Faye L. Norby ◽  
Lin Y. Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
New Model

scholarly journals Optimal Anticoagulation Strategy for Cardioversion in Atrial Fibrillation

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Bushoven ◽  
Sven Linzbach ◽  
Mate Vamos ◽  
Stefan H Hohnloser ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Pharmacological Cardioversion

For many patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation, cardioversion is performed to restore sinus rhythm and relieve symptoms. Cardioversion carries a distinct risk for thromboembolism which has been described to be in the order of magnitude of 1 to 3 %. For almost five decades, vitamin K antagonist therapy has been the mainstay of therapy to prevent thromboembolism around the time of cardioversion although not a single prospective trial has formally established its efficacy and safety. Currently, three new direct oral anticoagulants are approved for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. For all three, there are data regarding its usefulness during the time of electrical or pharmacological cardioversion. Due to the ease of handling, their efficacy regarding stroke prevention, and their safety with respect to bleeding complications, the new direct oral anticoagulants are endorsed as the preferred therapy over vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation including the clinical setting of elective cardioversion.

scholarly journals Recommendations on the Use of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (Based on 2018 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide)

Kardiologiia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 68-79
Author(s):  
L. V. Popova ◽  
T. B. Kondratieva ◽  
M. B. Aksenova ◽  
T. V. Khlevchuk ◽  
M. Z. Kanevskaya
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonist ◽  
Advanced Liver Disease ◽  
Clinical Variants

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) – direct oral anticoagulants – are getting the ever-broadening use in clinical practice. However, many problems related to optimal use of NOACs in specific clinical situations remain unresolved. European Heart Rhythm Association in April 2018 issued the renovated recommendations on the use of NOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation. The authors of recommendations presented some specific clinical variants for which they formulated practical advices based on the evidence obtained in randomized clinical trials. They also outlined the indications for use of NOACs, formulated practical start-program and scheme of subsequent follow-up management of patients taking NOACs. Recommendations contain information on pharmacokinetics of NOACs and their interactions with other drugs, consideration of feasibility of NOACs use in patients with chronic renal insufficiency or advanced liver disease. Many other practical problems are covered as well.  

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