Safety of Early Dabigatran for Noncardioembolic Stroke

A randomized trial supports the safety of this treatment for patients with minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack who have small infarcts.

For patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke, recent randomized trial data showed the value of early administration of aspirin plus clopidogrel (NEJM JW Neurol Jul 2018 and N Engl J Med 2018; 379:215). Another potential treatment option for these patients is the early use of a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC). Investigators have now conducted a multicenter, open-label study evaluating the safety of dabigatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, used within 72 hours of a noncardioembolic stroke or TIA. Eligible patients had an NIH stroke scale score of ≤9 and an MRI-determined infarct volume of ≤25 mL. Patients were randomized to treatment with dabigatran (150 or 110 mg twice daily) or low-dose aspirin for 30 days. Brain…

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

Safety of Early Dabigatran for Noncardioembolic Stroke

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Reviewing Author