One decade of oral anticoagulation in stroke patients: Results from a large country-wide hospital-based registry. Issue 3 (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tanislav, Christian; Allendörfer, Jens; Pfeilschifter, Waltraud; Fuest, Sven; Stein, Marco; Meyer, Marco; Reuter, Iris; Kaps, Manfred; Misselwitz, Björn
• Is Part Of: International journal of stroke. Volume 13:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 308
• Page End: 312
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Stroke -- atrial fibrillation -- oral anticoagulants; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1177/1747493017733928
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-4930

Abstract

Background: New evidence regarding stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation has been published. Implementing knowledge into clinical practice remains challenging. Aims: To investigate oral anticoagulants in stroke patients documented in a nationwide registry. Methods: The database is an obligatory federal-state-wide hospital-based registry that covers more than 95% of all ischemic strokes, transient ischemic attacks and intracerebral hemorrhages in a community of more than six million inhabitants (Hesse/Germany). We analyzed oral anticoagulants prescribed on discharge in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack during 2006–2015. Results: From 2006 to 2015, we annually selected median 20, 895 patients. From 2006 to 2015, the proportion of patients treated with oral anticoagulants increased (9.8% to 24%). The annual proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation remained constant (median: 23%). In atrial fibrillation patients treated with oral anticoagulants, the age increased (median 2008/2009: 76.9 years vs. 2014/2015 79.4 years). The percentage of treated individuals in atrial fibrillation increased dramatically (2006: 30.1% to 2015: 74.5%); in 2015, 30.8% of these patients received vitamin K antagonists and 70.2% new oral anticoagulants. Independent factors associated with new oral anticoagulants therapy were a previous medication with new oral anticoagulants and a treatment on stroke unit. Between new oral anticoagulants- and vitamin K antagonists-treated patients (2015), no differences in age were noted (both mean: 79.4 years). Conclusions: The new oral anticoagulants availability enhanced a general trend treating more target patients with oral anticoagulants.