Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
23:33
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
[Anticoagulant therapy in stroke patients]
Kristian Lundsgaard Kraglund1, Steen Elkjær Husted, Boris Modrau
1Hjertemedicinsk Afdeling, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Skejby, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|February 2, 2013
Summary
Antithrombotic therapy is underused in stroke patients at high risk. This review covers anticoagulant management, risk stratification for thromboembolism, and bleeding in atrial fibrillation patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Stroke presents significant morbidity and mortality.
- Cardioembolic events, particularly from atrial fibrillation, cause up to 25% of ischemic strokes.
- Antithrombotic therapy use is suboptimal in high-risk stroke patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence and practical management of anticoagulant therapy in stroke patients.
- To provide an updated risk stratification for thromboembolic and bleeding complications in atrial fibrillation patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing evidence.
- Analysis of current guidelines and clinical practices.
- Examination of risk stratification tools for stroke and bleeding.
Main Results:
- Anticoagulant therapy is crucial for preventing cardioembolic stroke.
- Risk stratification models aid in tailoring therapy to individual patient profiles.
- Balancing thromboembolic risk and bleeding risk is essential for optimal patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing anticoagulant therapy in stroke patients, especially those with atrial fibrillation, is critical.
- Effective risk stratification improves treatment decisions and patient safety.
- Further research and adherence to guidelines can reduce stroke burden.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
01:18Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
01:30Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
01:29Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...