Effect of Anticoagulant Switching on Vascular Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke Despite Anticoagulant Treatment

In an observational study of atrial fibrillation patients who had an ischemic stroke despite direct oral anticoagulant treatment, switching to another direct oral anticoagulant was associated with better outcomes than switching to a vitamin K antagonist.

Most patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are recommended to receive oral anticoagulant (OAC) medication. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) can be used, with guidelines currently recommending DOACs. However, for AF patients who experience a stroke despite DOAC treatment, the optimal treatment strategy has not been studied extensively. In this study, researchers from Taiwan analyzed outcomes of patients with AF and ischemic stroke while taking DOAC medications (DOAC failure). Patients were followed for at least 1 year; total follow-up time was 14 years. The main goal was to analyze vascular outcomes after switching to either a different DOAC or to VKA therapy. Main outcomes were ischemic stroke, major card…

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

Effect of Anticoagulant Switching on Vascular Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke Despite Anticoagulant Treatment

Topics

Reviewing Author