Abstract
Background
Cardioembolic stroke (CES) due to atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high stroke mortality. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) reduces stroke mortality, however, the impact of OAC-administration during hospital stay post ischemic stroke on mortality is unclear. We determined whether the timing of OAC initiation among other prognostic factors influenced mortality after CES.
Methods
Within the Ludwigshafen Stroke Study (LuSSt), a prospective population-based stroke register, we analysed all patients with a first ever ischemic stroke or TIA due to AF from 2006 until 2010. We analysed whether treatment or non-treatment with OAC and initiation of OAC-therapy during and after hospitalization influenced stroke mortality within 500 days after stroke/TIA due to AF.
Results
In total 479 patients had a first-ever ischemic stroke (n = 394) or TIA (n = 85) due to AF. One-year mortality rate was 28.4%. Overall, 252 patients (52.6%) received OAC. In 181 patients (37.8%), OAC treatment was started in hospital and continued thereafter. Recommendation to start OAC post discharge was given in 110 patients (23.0%) of whom 71 patients received OAC with VKA (14.8%). No OAC-recommendation was given in 158 patients (33.0%). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, higher age (HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07), coronary artery disease (HR: 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.3), higher mRS-score at discharge (HR 1.24; 95% CI 1.09-1.4), and OAC treatment ((no OAC vs started in hospital (HR: 5.4; 95% CI 2.8-10.5), were independently associated with stroke mortality. OAC-timing did not significantly influence stroke mortality (started post discharge vs. started in hospital (HR 0.3; 95% CI 0.07-1.4)).
Conclusions
OAC non-treatment is the main predictor for stroke mortality. Although OAC initiation during hospital stay showed a trend towards higher mortality, early initiation in selected patients is an option as recommendation to start OAC post hospital was implemented in only 64.5%. This rate might be elevated by implementation of special intervention programs.
Similar content being viewed by others
Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the main cause of cardioembolic stroke (CES), the dominant ischemic stroke subtype in the elderly [1],[2]. Additionally, non-diagnosed AF is likely to be responsible for many cryptogenic strokes [3]. Prevalence of AF increases with age and lifetime risk of developing AF is estimated to be 25% after reaching the age of 40 [4]. Due to demographic changes in industrial countries, prevalence of AF is predicted to increase in the future [5]. Concomitant to the incidence of AF, incidence of CES is likely to increase. CES is associated with higher stroke severity and mortality [6],[7]. Stroke recurrence is associated with much worse outcome [6],[7]. Early stroke recurrence is frequent in ischemic stroke due to large artery atherosclerosis [8], in contrast, it is less common in CES [8],[6]. However, recurrence risk of CES is highest among stroke subtypes in the long term [7]. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) is effective in primary and secondary stroke prevention and in reducing mortality [9],[10]. Both, VKAs and NOACs increase risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) [11]. As early hemorrhagic transformation occurs in CES in up to 17% within 5 days [12], and occurence of ICH is reported to be up to 12% [13], timing of OAC initiation after acute CES is still a controversial issue and its impact on mortality is not clear.
We hypothesized that initiation of OAC in hospital after first-ever CES is associated with a significant reduction on mortality compared to OAC non-treatment and OAC initiation post discharge. Implementation of OAC recommendation was additionally analysed.
Methods
The “Ludwigshafen Stroke Study” (LuSSt) is a population-based, prospective registry of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the City of Ludwigshafen (Germany), starting January 1st, 2006. A detailed description of LuSSt has been published recently [14]. All patients with first-ever ischemic strokes (FEIS) due to AF until December 31st, 2010 were included in the present analysis.
Summary of study population, case ascertainment follow-up and standard definitions
Ludwigshafen is an industrial city in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Western Germany. The total source population was 167,657 inhabitants (83,009 males and 84,648 females) on December 31st, 2008, which was the midpoint of the study period. Multiple overlapping methods of patient identification were used in order to achieve complete case ascertainment as described before [14]. Collaboration with all hospitals in Ludwigshafen and surrounding hospitals treating stroke patients outside the city boundaries ensured complete case acquisition. Patients who have been treated in other hospitals, hospitals abroad and non-hospitalized patients were identified by contacting all general practitioners, specialists in internal medicine and neurologists practicing in Ludwigshafen. In addition nursing and residential homes were contacted regularly. In case of identified stroke patients via death certificate, patients’ general practitioner was contacted in order to achieve more information, especially with regards to stroke symptoms, current stroke and antithrombotic treatment. Follow up investigations were conducted by telephone 28 days, 3, 12 and 36 months after stroke onset, using a standardised questionnaire, if written informed had been given by patients or their legal representatives. Information about survival was collected by population registration authority in all patients without statement of consent, or if patients could not be contacted. The study (LuSSt) was approved by the ethics committee of “Landesärztekammer Rhineland-Palatinate” (reference number: 837.333.05) and the local data protection commissioner of Rhineland-Palatinate. Stroke was defined according to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO) [15]. Stroke subtype classification was based on the results of brain imaging, discriminating between ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Patients with no clinical evidence of any previous stroke event were diagnosed as first-ever stroke (FES) irrespective of brain imaging. Assignment to etiology in ischemic stroke was performed using modified TOAST-criteria and has been described in detail before [2]. TIA was defined as a transient focal cerebral ischemia with symptoms lasting <24 hours independent of neuroimaging results. Due to current changes in the definition of TIA by usage of MRI imaging, we included patients with both, IS and TIA. All patients admitted to the Klinikum Ludwigshafen received intensive diagnostic workup as previously described [2]. About 90% of all patients with FES in the source population are admitted to this hospital.
Neuroradiological findings, risk factors, risk stratification scores and stroke severity
Neuroradiological findings were categorized as territorial infarction (TI), lacunar infarction (LI), hemorrhagic transformation (HT) including hemorrhagic infarction, defined as petechial bleeding in the infarction area, and parenchymal hematoma as hematoma in the infarcted area with a space-occupying effect or a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ischemic infarction [12]. Hemorrhagic transformation was detected in CT/MRI performed on admission or in repeated CT/MRI performed during hospital stay. Cardiovascular risk factors were defined according to current national and international guidelines as recently described in detail [2]. AF (known or new diagnosis) was defined with current ESC guidelines as irregular RR intervals with a variable atrial cycle length and absent P waves in the surface ECG [16]. Other sources of cardiac embolism have been ruled out by using transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography. The CHA2DS2-VASc and HASBLED-Score were used as risk stratification tools to evaluate stroke and bleeding risk [17]. Stroke severity was analysed using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission and modified Rankin-Scale (mRS) on discharge by experienced neurologists of the study team [18],[19]. The glomerular filtration rate was determined on admission using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula [20].
Antithrombotic treatment
Prestroke treatment with VKA (=oral anticoagulation) and antiplatelet agents was assessed. In patients receiving VKA, international normalized ratio (INR) was determined on admission. Poststroke management was subdivided as follows: 1. No OAC (neither given nor recommended and OAC recommended but not given post hospital stay); 2. OAC started in hospital; 3. OAC started post discharge; 4. Unknown. If OAC was started in hospital or recommended and status post hospital was unknown, OAC management post stroke was ascertained unknown. If VKA treatment had not been recommended, reasons were protocolled. Posthospital treatment with VKA after 30 days, as well as 3, 12 and 36 month after stroke were checked. In order to include majority of patients in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, vital status was additionally assessed 500 days after stroke onset. Recurrent stroke, TIA or bleeding were documented within 500 days after stroke.
Statistical analyses
Χ 2-test was used to compare categorical data and fisher exact test was applied to analyse normally distributed continuous data in univariate analysis. All variables being significant except risk stratification scores were then included in a multivariate Cox regression model followed by backward elimination of nonsignificant variables (p < 0,05). In order to lower impact of stroke severity on stroke mortality, patients who died within 7 days after stroke were excluded for multivariate Cox regression analysis. All data were analysed using SAS 9.3 software (SAS Institute, North Carolina, RRID:nif-0000-31484). All tests were two-sided. Level of significance was set to 5% for all tests.
Results
During study period, 502 patients had a FEIS or TIA due to AF. ICH was ruled out in all patients by neuroimaging. As survival status was unknown in 23 patients (4.8%), 479 patients with FEIS (n = 394) and TIA (n = 85) were finally included in the present analysis. Mean age was 79.3 years +/- 10.1 (women: 80.7 years +/- 10.5; men: 77.4 years +/- 9.1). Median of hospital stay was 10.8 days (range 1-35 days). 332 patients (69.3%) were initially admitted to a stroke unit, whereas 29 patients (6.1%) received intensive care treatment. Overall, 18 patients (3.8%) were treated ambulatory. Thirteen patients died within first week. One year mortality rate was 28.4% and mortality rate after 500 days was 30.7%.
Neuroimaging was performed in all patients with 106 patients (22.1%) receiving cranial MRI. AF was newly diagnosed in 62 (12.9%) patients. Acute ischemic tissue damage could be observed in 20 patients (23.5%) with TIA based on neuroimaging. Due to study period, no patient received NOAC treatment. Baseline characteristics of all patients are displayed in Tables 1 and 2. Overall, OAC with VKA was started in hospital in 184 patients and it was continued post hospital in 181 patients (98.4%). Starting OAC post discharge was recommended in total in 130 patients. In 20 out of these patients OAC status post discharge was unknown and OAC-recommendation was implemented in 71 patients (64.5%). Figure 1 shows Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival after ischemic stroke according to OAC management. Antiplatelet therapy was prescribed in 173 (36.1%) patients. There was no patient who received a combination of OAC and antiplatelet agent. Main reasons for non-OAC recommendation were bad general condition (28%, n = 41), risk of falling (27%, n = 39) and dementia (13%, n = 19). As compared to those patients with recommendation to start OAC treatment post discharge, patients receiving OAC treatment in hospital had signficant lower initial stroke severity as indicated by NIHSS (p > 0.0001), lower HASBLED-score (p = 0.001), less signs of hemorrhagic transformation (p = 0.002) and territorial infarction (p > 0.0001), high rate of premedication with VKA (p < 0.0001), low rate of premedication with antiplatelets (p < 0.0001) and significant lower mRS-score (p < 0.0001) on discharge. Recurrent stroke within 500 days occurred in 43 patients (9%) with 13 patients (30,2%) being on OAC (started in hospital: n = 8 (61.5%) vs. started post discharge: n = 5 (38.5%), of which 6 patients (46.1%) had an INR-value below 2. Three out of 5 patients (60%) with OAC having an INR > 2, had a recurrent ischemic stroke within 30 days after OAC. One year recurrence rate was 7.1% (n = 34), whereas rate of early stroke recurrence within 14 days was 0.8% (n = 4) and within 7 days 0.4% (n = 2). OAC associated ICH was observed in three patients (0.6%), two (66.7%) occuring within 30 days after initial event.
Results of Cox regression analysis are displayed in Table 3. Higher age, higher mRS-score at discharge, diagnosis of CAD, and OAC treatment post stroke were independently associated with stroke mortality. Figure 2 additionally presents Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival with regard to stroke recurrence. Poststroke survival was highest in those patients receiving OAC irrespective of stroke recurrence.
Discussion
We analysed impact of risk factors on mortality (500 days) in patients after first ever AF-associated CES or TIA in a population based stroke registry (LuSSt) particulary with regards to the effect of different OAC timings after FEIS. One-year mortality rate was 28.4%, which is in line with former study reports, where patients having a stroke associated with AF had a high risk of death in the year after FEIS [21].
Our data show that OAC non-treatment after AF-associated ischemic stroke is the main predictor for stroke mortality. Mortality was 5.4 times higher in patients not receiving OAC as compared to those that already received OAC in hospital. This fact again underlines the need for OAC treatment after CES [22]. Alarmingly, OAC-recommendation was only implemented in 71 out of 110 patients calling for improvement in outpatient care (e.g. by the implementation of special interventional programs) [23]. Interestingly, OAC initiation post discharge showed a trend (p = 0.1) towards lower mortality as compared to those that received OAC in hospital (HR 0.3; 95% CI 0.07-1.4) in multivariate analysis. Increased risk of bleeding under early treatment with OAC in more severe strokes might be one explanation [24]. Increased risk of ischemic stroke during first 30 days of treatment might also partly account for this [25]. In addition to OAC treatment, we found higher age and a higher mRS-score at discharge as independent predictors of mortality after CES. Recent data from the Canadian Stroke Network demonstrated association between older age and worse outcome after CES. Interestingly, there was no such association in those patients receiving therapeutic OAC treatment prior to stroke emphasizing the importance of OAC treatment in older patients [26]. It is well known that myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death in patients with cerebrovascular diseases [27]. We found CAD to be independently associated with mortality after CES. Antiplatelet agents such as Aspirin or Clopidogrel have shown to reduce ischemic events in patients with CAD [28]. Unfortunately, concomitant use of antiplatelet agents and OAC subsequently increases risk of bleeding [29]. Randomized trials have shown VKA to be as effective as a combination of VKA and Aspirin and more effective as Aspirin alone in CAD patients considering myocardial infarction [30]. Although recent observational studies showed decreased rate of MI in AF patients receiving Dabigatran as compared to Warfarin [31], certain subgroup analyses and metanalyses of randomized controlled trials demonstrated an increase of myocardial infarction [32],[33]. However, data of end-point driven randomized controlled trials on NOACs are missing. Right now, OAC with VKA might remain important for CES patients having CAD. Recurrence rates were similar to those reported in previous trials [34],[35]. Although being limited by small sample size, stroke recurrence did not influence survival in those patients receiving OAC, whereas there was a clear interaction in those patients that did not receive OAC. Clinical benefit of OAC in AF is again underlined.
Our study has strengths and limitations. Being based on registry data, study design was primarily descriptive and besides other confounding factors, quality of treatment of risk factors was not implemented, especially considering time of therapeutic range of VKA treatment. Furthermore we only analysed all-cause mortality. However, LuSSt is a population-based stroke registry without any age restrictions. Multiple overlapping methods were used to ensure nearly complete case ascertainment and high case completeness was achieved with regard to stroke mortality.
Conclusion
In our study OAC non-treatment was the main predictor for mortality after FEIS. A later initiation of OAC treatment post hospital was not inferior to early initiation during hospital stay, however, one third of those patients who were recommended to be treated with OACs never received treatment. Special secondary preventive programs may increase the proportion of anticoagulated patients after stroke due to AF.
Authors' contributions
All authors have made substantive intellectual contributions to this study. FP and MK have made substantial contributions to data acquisation, data analysis and data interpretation. AS and HB substantially contributed to data analysis and interpretation. AG was responsible for study conception and design as well as data interpretation. All authors critically drafted and revised the manuscript. They all agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
References
Hajat C, Heuschmann PU, Coshall C, Padayachee S, Chambers J, Rudd AG, Wolfe CD: Incidence of aetiological subtypes of stroke in a multi-ethnic population based study: the south London stroke register. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2011, 82 (5): 527-533. 10.1136/jnnp.2010.222919.
Palm F, Urbanek C, Wolf J, Buggle F, Kleemann T, Hennerici MG, Inselmann G, Hagar M, Safer A, Becher H, Grau AJ: Etiology, risk factors and sex-differences in ischemic stroke in the Ludwigshafen stroke study (LuSSt), a population-based stroke registry. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2012, 33 (1): 64-68. 10.1159/000333417.
Jickling GC, Stamova B, Ander BP, Zhan X, Liu D, Sison SM, Verro P, Sharp FR: Prediction of cardioembolic, arterial, and lacunar causes of cryptogenic stroke by gene expression and infarct location. Stroke. 2012, 43 (8): 2036-2041. 10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.648725.
Lloyd-Jones DM, Wang TJ, Leip EP, Larson MG, Levy D, Vasan RS, D’Agostino RB, Massaro JM, Beiser A, Wolf PA, Benjamin EJ: Lifetime risk for development of atrial fibrillation: the framingham heart study. Circulation. 2004, 110 (9): 1042-1046. 10.1161/01.CIR.0000140263.20897.42.
Naccarelli GV, Varker H, Lin J, Schulman KL: Increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation and flutter in the United States. Am J Cardiol. 2009, 104 (11): 1534-1539. 10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.07.022.
Hannon N, Sheehan O, Kelly L, Marnane M, Merwick A, Moore A, Kyne L, Duggan J, Moroney J, McCormack PM, Daly L, Fitz-Simon N, Harris D, Horgan G, Williams EB, Furie KL, Kelly PJ: Stroke associated with atrial fibrillation-incidence and early outcomes in the north Dublin population stroke study. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2010, 29 (1): 43-49. 10.1159/000255973.
Kolominsky-Rabas PL, Weber M, Gefeller O, Neundoerfer B, Heuschmann PU: Epidemiology of ischemic stroke subtypes according to TOAST criteria: incidence, recurrence, and long-term survival in ischemic stroke subtypes: a population-based study. Stroke. 2001, 32 (12): 2735-2740. 10.1161/hs1201.100209.
Grau AJ, Weimar C, Buggle F, Heinrich A, Goertler M, Neumaier S, Glahn J, Brandt T, Hacke W, Diener HC: Risk factors, outcome, and treatment in subtypes of ischemic stroke: the German stroke data bank. Stroke. 2001, 32 (11): 2559-2566. 10.1161/hs1101.098524.
Agarwal S, Hachamovitch R, Menon V: Current trial-associated outcomes with warfarin in prevention of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2012, 172 (8): 623-631. 10.1001/archinternmed.2012.121. discussion 631-623
Ntaios G, Papavasileiou V, Diener HC, Makaritsis K, Michel P: Nonvitamin-K-antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Stroke. 2012, 43 (12): 3298-3304. 10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.673558.
Lip GY, Andreotti F, Fauchier L, Huber K, Hylek E, Knight E, Lane D, Levi M, Marin F, Palareti G, Kirchhof P: Bleeding risk assessment and management in atrial fibrillation patients. Executive summary of a position document from the European heart rhythm association [EHRA], endorsed by the european society of cardiology [ESC] working group on thrombosis. Thromb Haemost. 2011, 106 (6): 997-1011. 10.1160/TH11-10-0690.
Paciaroni M, Agnelli G, Corea F, Ageno W, Alberti A, Lanari A, Caso V, Micheli S, Bertolani L, Venti M, Palmerini F, Biagini S, Comi G, Previdi P, Silvestrelli G: Early hemorrhagic transformation of brain infarction: rate, predictive factors, and influence on clinical outcome: results of a prospective multicenter study. Stroke. 2008, 39 (8): 2249-2256. 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.510321.
McGrath ER, Kapral MK, Fang J, Eikelboom JW, O’Conghaile A, Canavan M, O’Donnell MJ: Which risk factors are more associated with ischemic stroke than intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with atrial fibrillation?. Stroke. 2012, 43 (8): 2048-2054. 10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.654145.
Palm F, Urbanek C, Rose S, Buggle F, Bode B, Hennerici MG, Schmieder K, Inselmann G, Reiter R, Fleischer R, Piplack KO, Safer A, Becher H, Grau AJ: Stroke incidence and survival in ludwigshafen am rhein, Germany: the Ludwigshafen stroke study (LuSSt). Stroke. 2010, 41 (9): 1865-1870. 10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.592642.
Hatano S: Experience from a multicentre stroke register: a preliminary report. Bull World Health Organ. 1976, 54 (5): 541-553.
Camm AJ, Kirchhof P, Lip GY, Schotten U, Savelieva I, Ernst S, Van Gelder IC, Al-Attar N, Hindricks G, Prendergast B, Heidbuchel H, Alfieri O, Angelini A, Atar D, Colonna P, De Caterina R, De Sutter J, Goette A, Gorenek B, Heldal M, Hohloser SH, Kolh P, Le Heuzey JY, Ponikowski P, Rutten FH: Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: the task force for the management of atrial fibrillation of the european society of cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2010, 31 (19): 2369-2429. 10.1093/eurheartj/ehq278.
Camm AJ, Lip GY, De Caterina R, Savelieva I, Atar D, Hohnloser SH, Hindricks G, Kirchhof P: 2012 focused update of the ESC guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: an update of the 2010 ESC guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. Developed with the special contribution of the European heart rhythm association. Eur Heart J. 2012, 33 (21): 2719-2747. 10.1093/eurheartj/ehs253.
Banks JL, Marotta CA: Outcomes validity and reliability of the modified rankin scale: implications for stroke clinical trials: a literature review and synthesis. Stroke. 2007, 38 (3): 1091-1096. 10.1161/01.STR.0000258355.23810.c6.
Goldstein LB, Bertels C, Davis JN: Interrater reliability of the NIH stroke scale. Arch Neurol. 1989, 46 (6): 660-662. 10.1001/archneur.1989.00520420080026.
Levey AS, Coresh J, Balk E, Kausz AT, Levin A, Steffes MW, Hogg RJ, Perrone RD, Lau J, Eknoyan G: National kidney foundation practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: evaluation, classification, and stratification. Ann Intern Med. 2003, 139 (2): 137-147. 10.7326/0003-4819-139-2-200307150-00013.
Kaarisalo MM, Immonen-Raiha P, Marttila RJ, Salomaa V, Kaarsalo E, Salmi K, Sarti C, Sivenius J, Torppa J, Tuomilehto J: Atrial fibrillation and stroke. Mortality and causes of death after the first acute ischemic stroke. Stroke. 1997, 28 (2): 311-315. 10.1161/01.STR.28.2.311.
Andersen KK, Olsen TS: Reduced poststroke mortality in patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation treated with anticoagulants: results from a danish quality-control registry of 22,179 patients with ischemic stroke. Stroke. 2007, 38 (2): 259-263. 10.1161/01.STR.0000254622.52483.03.
Leistner S, Benik S, Laumeier I, Ziegler A, Nieweler G, Nolte CH, Heuschmann PU, Audebert HJ: Secondary prevention after minor stroke and TIA - usual care and development of a support program. PLoS One. 2012, 7 (12): e49985-10.1371/journal.pone.0049985.
Fang MC, Go AS, Chang Y, Borowsky LH, Pomernacki NK, Udaltsova N, Singer DE: Thirty-day mortality after ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage in patients with atrial fibrillation on and off anticoagulants. Stroke. 2012, 43 (7): 1795-1799. 10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.630731.
Azoulay L, Dell’aniello S, Simon TA, Renoux C, Suissa S: Initiation of warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation: early effects on ischaemic strokes. Eur Heart J. 2014, 35 (28): 1991-1887. 10.1093/eurheartj/eht499.
McGrath ER, Kapral MK, Fang J, Eikelboom JW, O’Conghaile A, Canavan M, O’Donnell MJ: Association of atrial fibrillation with mortality and disability after ischemic stroke. Neurology. 2013, 81 (9): 825-832. 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182a2cc15.
Heyden S, Heiss G, Heyman A, Tyroler AH, Hames CG, Patzschke U, Manegold C: Cardiovascular mortality in transient ischemic attacks. Stroke. 1980, 11 (3): 252-255. 10.1161/01.STR.11.3.252.
Clappers N, Brouwer MA, Verheugt FW: Antiplatelet treatment for coronary heart disease. Heart. 2007, 93 (2): 258-265. 10.1136/hrt.2005.071209.
Sorensen R, Hansen ML, Abildstrom SZ, Hvelplund A, Andersson C, Jorgensen C, Madsen JK, Hansen PR, Kober L, Torp-Pedersen C, Gislason GH: Risk of bleeding in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with different combinations of aspirin, clopidogrel, and vitamin K antagonists in Denmark: a retrospective analysis of nationwide registry data. Lancet. 2009, 374 (9706): 1967-1974. 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61751-7.
van Es RF, Jonker JJ, Verheugt FW, Deckers JW, Grobbee DE: Aspirin and coumadin after acute coronary syndromes (the ASPECT-2 study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2002, 360 (9327): 109-113. 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)09409-6.
Larsen TB, Rasmussen LH, Skjoth F, Due KM, Callreus T, Rosenzweig M, Lip GY: Efficacy and safety of dabigatran etexilate and warfarin in “real-world” patients with atrial fibrillation: a prospective nationwide cohort study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013, 61 (22): 2264-2273. 10.1016/j.jacc.2013.03.020.
Oldgren J, Budaj A, Granger CB, Khder Y, Roberts J, Siegbahn A, Tijssen JG, Van de Werf F, Wallentin L: Dabigatran vs. placebo in patients with acute coronary syndromes on dual antiplatelet therapy: a randomized, double-blind, phase II trial. Eur Heart J. 2011, 32 (22): 2781-2789. 10.1093/eurheartj/ehr113.
Uchino K, Hernandez AV: Dabigatran association with higher risk of acute coronary events: meta-analysis of noninferiority randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med. 2012, 172 (5): 397-402. 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.1666.
EAFT (european atrial fibrillation trial) study group. Lancet. 1993, 342 (8882): 1255-1262.
Diener HC, Eikelboom J, Connolly SJ, Joyner CD, Hart RG, Lip GY, O’Donnell M, Hohnloser SH, Hankey GJ, Shestakovska O, Yusuf S: Apixaban versus aspirin in patients with atrial fibrillation and previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack: a predefined subgroup analysis from AVERROES, a randomised trial. Lancet Neurol. 2012, 11 (3): 225-231. 10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70017-0.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the very valuable help by Susanne Streib who participated as study nurse in this study.
Funding
Data analysis and data acquisition (AG, HB, AS, FP) was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG; GR1102/6-1). Study design, data collection, data analysis and data interpretation were independent from any study sponsor. LuSSt is part of the German Competence Network Stroke.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors’ original submitted files for images
Below are the links to the authors’ original submitted files for images.
Rights and permissions
This article is published under an open access license. Please check the 'Copyright Information' section either on this page or in the PDF for details of this license and what re-use is permitted. If your intended use exceeds what is permitted by the license or if you are unable to locate the licence and re-use information, please contact the Rights and Permissions team.
About this article
Cite this article
Palm, F., Kraus, M., Safer, A. et al. Management of oral anticoagulation after cardioembolic stroke and stroke survival data from a population based stroke registry (LuSSt). BMC Neurol 14, 199 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-014-0199-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-014-0199-7