Recurrent vascular events in patients with ischemic stroke/TIA and atrial fibrillation in relation to secondary prevention at hospital discharge

Abstract

Background: Oral anticoagulation is indicated in secondary prevention of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in patients with atrial fibrillation, but it is often withheld because of contraindications and/or fear of bleeding complications.

Methods: We analysed recurrent cerebral and non-cerebral ischemic vascular events, major intracerebral and extracerebral bleeding and vascular death in 401 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or TIA and atrial fibrillation who were discharged with oral anticoagulation (OAC), antiplatelet agents (AA), or heparin only in a clinical routine setting. The median follow-up time was 25 (interquartile range (IQR): 15-38) months.

Results: Patients on OAC at time of discharge were significantly younger and had suffered a major stroke less often than patients who received AA or heparin at discharge. One year after discharge, adherence to therapy was higher in patients discharged on OAC (72%) than in those on AA (46%; p<0.001). The majority of patients discharged on heparin were subsequently treated with OAC. Patients on AA at discharge suffered from ischemic complications significantly more often during the follow-up period than patients on OAC or heparin at discharge (30% vs. 16% vs. 23%, p=0.031). 3% of the patients on AA and 4% of those on OAC suffered from major bleeding complications during follow-up (p=0.028).

Conclusion: Our results document the high risk of ischemic vascular complications in patients with ischemic stroke/TIA and atrial fibrillation in a clinical routine setting. The risk was particularly high in patients treated with AA. The risk of major bleeding complications in our population was comparably low.