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Updated: May 10, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

[Atrial fibrillation in cerebrovascular disease: national neurological perspective]

Joao Sargento-Freitas1, Fernando Silva, Sebastian Koehler

  • 1Unidade de Acidente Vascular Cerebral, Serviço de Neurologia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. jsargentof@hotmail.com

Acta Medica Portuguesa
|July 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Oral anticoagulation is underused in stroke prevention despite its proven efficacy. This study highlights the effectiveness of vitamin K antagonists in preventing secondary strokes, regardless of a patient's functional status.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Context:

  • Atrial fibrillation is a growing cause of ischemic stroke with high embolic risk.
  • Understanding stroke etiology and impact is crucial for effective management.
  • Antithrombotic therapy plays a key role in secondary stroke prevention.

Purpose:

  • To determine the frequency of atrial fibrillation in ischemic stroke patients.
  • To analyze the impact of stroke from various causes.
  • To evaluate pre- and post-stroke antithrombotic strategies.

Summary:

  • A retrospective study of 631 ischemic stroke patients found a 34.5% cardioembolism rate, higher than literature.
  • Mortality and morbidity were comparable to other series, indicating cardioembolic stroke severity.
  • Oral anticoagulation, particularly vitamin K antagonists, was underused but effective in secondary prevention.

Impact:

  • Confirms the clinical efficacy of vitamin K antagonists in secondary stroke prevention.
  • Highlights the persistent underuse of oral anticoagulation despite guidelines.
  • Demonstrates that anticoagulation is effective regardless of post-stroke functional impairment.
Abstract

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