Updated AAN Guidelines on Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

This document provides an impressive synthesis of a rapidly growing body of literature but takes a surprisingly equivocal position on anticoagulation.

Sponsoring Organization: American Academy of Neurology

Target Population: Neurologists

Background and Objective

Numerous recent studies have suggested that cryptogenic stroke may often result from occult nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) that can be missed without extensive investigation. Also, several new oral anticoagulant agents have been introduced as alternatives to warfarin for preventing stroke in NVAF. Given these developments, the American Academy of Neurology has updated its 1998 guidelines on this topic.

Key Points

Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring After Cryptogenic Stroke

In a meta-analysis, cardiac rhythm monitoring detected previously unidentified NVAF in approximately 11% of patients with cryptogenic stroke, with the yield varying i…

Reviewing Author

Hooman Kamel, MD

Disclosures

Speaker’s bureauGenentech

Grant / Research supportNational Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Michael Goldberg Stroke Research Fund

Editorial boardsPLOS One; Scientific Reports

Leadership positions in professional societiesNeurocritical Care Society (Research Committee Member)