Not All Patients With Atrial Fibrillation–Associated Ischemic Stroke Can Be Started on Anticoagulant Therapy

Abstract

In this cohort of patients with AF, warfarin was primarily underutilized before stroke onset, and it was too late to use anticoagulation, in approximately half, once a stroke had occurred. The decision to start or continue anticoagulation requires clinical judgment and should be made on a case by case basis after a complete risk benefit assessment.