Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and the hazards of under-treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Oral anticoagulants are highly efficacious for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation, and are the preferred treatment by current guidelines. The purpose of our study was to assess the utilization of antithrombotic drugs in atrial fibrillation patients at the time of ischemic stroke and the factors associated with their use.

Methods

We enrolled 759 consecutive patients admitted with ischemic stroke at Boston Medical Center, Geisinger Health System, and the University of Alabama. To be eligible, patients had to have electrocardiographically-confirmed atrial fibrillation at the time of admission or within 6 months of the index stroke. All stroke events and electrocardiograms were validated by study physicians. Patients with newly diagnosed atria

SUBMITTER: Aronis KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5527994 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature