The likelihood of decreasing strokes in atrial fibrillation patients by strict application of guidelines

Abstract

Aims: Despite the known increased stroke risk associated with AF and the benefit of oral anticoagulation (OAC) in high-risk patients, still ∼20% of all ischaemic strokes are atrial fibrillation (AF) related. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of inappropriate anticoagulation in all patients admitted with AF associated ischaemic stroke and calculate the theoretical number of preventable strokes in case of proper guideline adherence and assess secondary stroke prevention at discharge. Methods and results: In this cross-sectional study, all patients with ischaemic strokes admitted to our hospital during May 2003-August 2006 in whom the diagnosis AF was either known or established during hospital stay were identified. We studied if their admission and discharge antithrombotic therapy was in accordance with the published guidelines. Subsequently, we calculated the number of preventable strokes in case AF patients would have received adequate antithrombotic treatment on admission. On admission, in 51% of the OAC eligible known AF patients the drug was withheld. Improved antithrombotic guideline adherence potentially would have prevented 20 out of the 89 (22%) ischaemic strokes. At discharge at least 10% of the patients were still insufficiently protected against recurrent stroke. Conclusion: Many known AF patients admitted with ischaemic stroke lack adequate antithrombotic treatment on admission. Antithrombotic guideline adherence in these patients has the potential to prevent a substantial number strokes. Secondary stroke prevention at discharge is also suboptimal. © 2010 The Author.