Research Information System
Pamukkale Medical Journal, vol.17, no.2, pp.315-323, 2024 (Scopus, TRDizin)
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with cardioembolic stroke due to non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The NIHSS (National Institute of Healt Stroke Scale) score calculated by a neurologist at initial presentation and infarct volume measured semi-automatically in cm3 by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Materials and methods: A total of 101 NVAF patients with acute ischaemic stroke were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to OAC drug use: Non-OAC users (Group 1), subtherapeutic dose warfarin users (under 70 years of age: INR≤2.0; over 70 years of age: INR≤1.6 Group 2), therapeutic dose warfarin users (under 70 years of age: INR≥2.0; over 70 years of age: INR≥1.6 Group 3) and therapeutic dose Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) users Group 4. Results: Infarct volume was calculated as 22.20 cm3 median (0.4-235 cm3 lowest-highest) for Group 1; 12.95 cm3 (1.3-129 cm3) for Group 2; 2.25 cm3 (0.3-89 cm3) for Group 3 and 4.40 cm3 (0.2-293 cm3) for Group 4 and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.039). The calculated NIHSS score was 9 (4-23) for the Group 1, 8.5 (3-18) for the Group 2, 6.5 (2-20) for the Group 3, 5 (1-22) for the Group 4 and the effect of anticoagulation use on NIHSS score was statistically significant (p=0.029). Conclusion: Anticoagulant treatment holds importance in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke and in enhancing the NIHSS score and infarct volumes among stroke patients, as evidenced in the current study.