Abstract WP197: Timing Of Anticoagulation After Ischemic Stroke In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: An International Survey

Abstract

Introduction: The timing of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) after atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke is unknown. Most guidelines are inconsistent and based on expert opinion. We conducted a survey to evaluate the global practice patterns of this common clinical scenario. Methods: We used an electronic survey with practice-related demographic and clinical questions of 10 cases with different stroke severities and sizes: transient ischemic attack, small, medium, large, and strokes with hemorrhagic infarction and parenchymal hematoma. Results: A total of 242 clinicians from 21 countries completed at least one clinical scenario. The majority of the respondents were from Australia (36.4%) or Canada (22.7%). Stroke-specific sub-specialty training was self-reported in 82.2% of the respondents. Median (IQR) time spent dedicated to stroke patient care/research was 70 (60) % of total working hours. Only 14% of responding clinicians reported current participation in a randomized trial of DOAC initiation timing after AF-related stroke. Stroke size, severity, and the grade of hemorrhage if present seem to be determinants of the decisions. Lack of consensus was observed in moderate stroke, multi-territory infarcts, large stroke, and in the presence of HT. The majority of respondents would be willing to randomize patients with different stroke sizes and severities with/without HT in a clinical trial of early versus delayed initiation of DOAC after AF-related stroke. Conclusions: Decisions related to the timing of DOAC initiation after AF-related stroke vary globally. The variability in clinical practice will continue until randomized controlled trials are completed.