Vitamin K antagonist

Cardiology

Atrial fibrillation

Stroke (engine)

Warfarin

Internal medicine

Engineering

Ischemic stroke

Medicine

Mechanical engineering

Ischemia

Interquartile range

Pediatrics

Neurology

<h3>Objective:</h3> In patients with recent acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and atrial fibrillation, we assessed the starting time of direct, non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for secondary prevention, the rate of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and recurrent ischemic events during follow-up. <h3>Methods:</h3> We included consecutive patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation admitted to our hospital for AIS or TIA (index event) who received secondary prophylaxis with DOAC or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Follow-up was at least 3 months. In the primary analysis, we compared rates of ICH and recurrent ischemic events (AIS or TIA) between patients with early (≤7 days since event; DOAC<sub>early</sub>) and those with late (&gt;7 days, DOAC<sub>late</sub>) start of DOAC. <h3>Results:</h3> Two hundred four patients were included (median age 79 years, 89% AIS) and total follow-up time was 78.25 patient-years. One hundred fifty-five patients received DOAC with a median delay of 5 days after the inde...

Early start of DOAC after ischemic stroke