2011 Volume 33 Issue 6 Pages 551-558
Background and Purpose: We studied the trend in antithrombotic therapy for cardioembolic stroke (CE) due to non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).Methods: The trend in antithrombotic therapy for CE was evaluated in eighty-eight (88) patients with CE due to NVAF who had been hospitalized in our department between June 2005 and November 2010.Results: Among these 88 patients, 39 (44.3%) had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), and 34 (38.6%) had a CHADS2 score of 0 or 1. 28 patients (31.8%) were on oral warfarin therapy, 20 (22.7%) were on oral antiplatelet therapy alone, and 40 (45.5%) were not receiving antithrombotic therapy. In addition, the mean PT-INR value on admission in patients on oral warfarin therapy was only 1.17, and only 2 patients showed PT-INR values within the optimal therapeutic range. The patients who were not receiving oral warfarin therapy had a significantly lower incidence of prior cerebral infarction, with PAF incidence and D-dimer values being significantly higher, than those on oral warfarin therapy.Conclusion: Antithrombotic therapy in the NVAF patients with CE was insufficient. Therefore, antithrombotic therapy complying with the guidelines can also be considered necessary in PAF and CHADS2 score of 1.
