Background: Studies in experimental animals have suggested that antithrombotic agents may have a neuroprotective effect after an ischemic injury. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of prior use of antithrombotic agents (antiplatelets or anticoagulants) on neurological functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Subjects and methods: Consecutive patients included in the Perugia Stroke Registry were considered for this analysis. Neurological functional outcome was evaluated at discharge using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS >or= 3 disabling stroke).
Results: Of the 1921 patients included in the analysis (mean age 76.3 +/- 12.5 years; 53% males), 662 (34.5%) were on antithrombotic treatment (581 antiplatelets, 71 anticoagulants and 10 antiplatelets associated with anticoagulants). One hundred and twenty-two patients (6.4%) died in hospital; at discharge 712 patients (37.1%) were disabled and 1,087 patients (56.6%) were non-disabled. Fifty-four (44.3%) of the deceased patients and 270 (37.9%) of disabled patients were on antithrombotic treatment, while 338 (31.1%) non-disabled patients were taking antithrombotic agents. From multivariate analysis, age and stroke severity were associated with an adverse outcome. Male gender, dyslipidemia, stroke due to small vessel disease and no history of previous stroke were associated with an improved outcome, while no correlation was found between prior use of antithrombotic agents and outcome (mortality odds ratio; OR = 1.32, 95% confidence interval; CI 0.85-2.04; P = 0.20, mortality or disability OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.72-1.25; P = 0.80).
Conclusion: Prior use of antithrombotic agents does not improve the functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.