The use of antithrombotics in patients presenting with stroke and atrial fibrillation

Figures & data

Figure 1 Inclusion criteria flow chart

Table 1 Patient characteristics

	No. of Patients (%)
Demographics
Gender: Male: Female	89:130	(40.6):(59.4)
Age: Mean (±SD)	77.2 years	±11.9
Age: Median (Range)	79.6 years	(31–96 years)
Ethnicity: European	177	(82.7)
Smoker: Current or ex-smoker	80	(36.5)
Risk factors for stroke
Age >65 years	187	(85.4)
Prior stroke or TIA	91	(41.6)
Congestive heart failure	55	(25.1)
Hypertension	107	(48.9)
Diabetes mellitus	35	(16.0)
Stroke Risk Score (mean ± SD)	2.19	±1.09
Risk factors for bleeding
Prior bleeding	12	(5.5)
Peptic ulcer disease	17	(7.8)
Cognitive impairment	33	(15.1)
Hepatic disease	1	(0.5)
Alcohol abuse	7	(3.2)
Documented risk of falling	24	(11.0)
Bleeding Risk Score (mean ± SD)	0.43	±0.69

Table 2 Stroke details

Variable	No. of Patients (%)
Characteristics of stroke
Ischemic stroke	177	(80.8)
Nonischemic	41	(18.7)
Nonvascular	1	(0.5)
Ischemic stroke subtype (% of Ischemic)
Cardioembolic-definite	104	(58.8)
Cardioembolic-probable	39	(22.0)
Lacunar	23	(13.0)
Atherothrombotic	0	(0.0)
Ischemic uncertain	11	(6.2)

Table 3 Antithrombotic treatment versus guideline recommended therapy

Actual treatment	Guideline recommendations a
	Warfarin	Warfarin OR Aspirin	Aspirin	Neither	Total
All subjects (n = 219)
All Subjects
Warfarin AND Aspirin	3	0	0	0	3
Warfarin	39	1	0	0	40
Aspirin	71	3	1	0	75
Neither	91	4	6	0	101
Total	204	8	7	0	219
Subjects with known atrial fibrillation (n = 150)
Subjects with known AF
Warfarin AND Aspirin	2	0	0	0	2
Warfarin	37	1	0	0	38
Aspirin	53	2	1	0	56
Neither	52	0	2	0	54
Total	144	3	3	0	150

a Notes: Based on the guidelines presented by Laupacis et al 1998.

Table 4 Factors associated with the use or nonuse of antithrombotic drugsa

Variable	Odds ratios (95% CI)b		p value
History of AF	3.4	(1.74–6.65)	0.0004
History of valvular heart disease	15.1	(1.62–141.1)	0.02
History of venous thrombo-embolism	4.2	(1.07–16.4)	0.04
Risk of bleeding scorec	0.68	(0.44–1.05)	0.08
Risk of thrombo-embolism scorec	1.58	(1.16–2.13)	0.003
Ischemic infarctd	0.32	(0.14–0.74)	0.008

a Note: Multivariate model

b Odds ratio >1, more likely to be using any antithrobotic

c per increase in one risk factor

d During index admission

Table 5 Factors associated with the use or nonuse of warfarina

Variable	Odds ratios (95% CI)b		P value
History of AF	16.7	(4.0–69.7)	0.0001
History of venous thrombo-embolism	14.1	(3.6–54.7)	0.0001
Agec	0.96	(0.93–0.99)	0.083
Ischemic infarctd	0.13	(0.05–0.32)	<0.0001

a Note: Multivariate model. Warfarin versus aspirin alone or no-antithrombotic

b Odds ratio >1, more likely to be using any antithrombotic

c per year older

d During index admission.

LaupacisAAlbersGDalenJAntithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillationChest1998114suppl5795895

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