Cerebral Microbleeds and Recurrent Stroke

Microbleeds portend higher stroke and mortality risks.

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) can be detected in 10% to 30% of patients with ischemic stroke. They represent advanced small-vessel disease and are thought to predict an increased risk for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Given the concern for ICH in the presence of CMBs, the impact of anticoagulation in patients with CMBs is of great interest.

These authors used baseline MRI data from the NAVIGATE trial, a randomized trial comparing rivaroxaban (15 mg per day) with aspirin (100 mg per day) in patients with embolic stroke of unknown source. Among the 7200 patients, 3699 had information on the presence or absence of CMBs recorded at baseline. Overall, 11% of the cohort had CMBs: 68% had 1–2, 27% had 3–10, and 5% had >10. During follow-up, most re…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Cerebral Microbleeds and Recurrent Stroke

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Reviewing Author