Atrial fibrillation, stroke, and acute antithrombotic therapy: analysis of randomized clinical trials.
BACKGROUND
Strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are typically larger, are associated with higher early mortality, and occur in older patients versus strokes in patients with sinus rhythm. Until recently, the value of antithrombotic therapies for acute stroke management has been based on empiric evidence.


RESULTS
We present a critical review of 3 randomized clinical trials testing aspirin, heparin/heparinoid, or both involving 5029 patients with AF and acute stroke. Early recurrent ischemic stroke occurred in about 5% of patients during the 2 to 4 weeks after initial stroke. Data conflict about whether early use of heparin/heparinoid reduced early recurrent ischemic stroke but are consistent regarding its lack of overall benefit on long-term functional outcome. Modest benefits for reduction of early recurrent stroke and functional outcome were associated with aspirin use, based largely on subgroup analysis from a single, large, unblinded trial.


CONCLUSIONS
No benefit of heparin has been demonstrated for acute stroke patients with AF; whether selected subgroups would respond differently remains to be proven. Aspirin followed by early initiation of warfarin for long-term secondary prevention is reasonable antithrombotic management.
Hart
Robert G
RG
Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78229-3900, USA. hartr@uthscsa.edu
Palacio
Santiago
S
Pearce
Lesly A
LA
D000208:Acute Disease; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin; D001241:Aspirin