Early versus Later Anticoagulation for Stroke with Atrial Fibrillation

U. Fischer, M. Koga, D. Strbian, M. Branca, S. Abend, S. Trelle, M. Paciaroni, G. Thomalla, P. Michel, K. Nedeltchev, L.H. Bonati, G. Ntaios, T. Gattringer, E.-C. Sandset, P. Kelly, R. Lemmens, P.N. Sylaja, D. Aguiar de Sousa, N.M. Bornstein, Z.

The study presents findings from an international, multi-center, randomized controlled trial comparing early versus later initiation of DOACs in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation. The primary outcome assessed was the composite of recurrent ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major extracranial bleeding, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, or vascular death within 90 days. The results indicate a potential benefit of earlier anticoagulation in reducing the primary composite outcome, with specific data presented on event rates and confidence intervals for various outcomes.