Antithrombotic therapy for patients with stroke symptoms. Guidelines for family physicians.
Anticoagulant therapy to halt or limit a potentially devastating stroke carries both risk and an unproven benefit. Two case reports highlight potential pitfalls. Antiplatelet agents are indicated for ischemia secondary to artery-to-artery embolism. Anticoagulation should be undertaken only when a demonstrated cardiac embolic source places a patient at ongoing risk of repeated embolic stroke. This article reviews rational approaches to anticoagulation for neurologic patients.
Brown
J
J
University of Toronto, Ontario.
Bernstein
M
M
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin