Background and purpose: Factor Xa inhibitors are prescribed for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Managing such patients is challenging especially if they are eligible for thrombolysis because there is no rapidly available test to detect the effect of such medications. Thrombelastography analyzes the dynamics of coagulation and can be rapidly performed. We sought to determine whether thrombelastography can detect the anticoagulation effect of factor Xa inhibitors in patients with stroke.
Methods: Blood from 10 patients with stroke was analyzed by thrombelastography at baseline and 2 to 18 hours after rivaroxaban administration.
Results: Increased R, K, and δ were seen at 2, 4, and 6 hours, while G, maximum amplitude, α-angle, and LY30 were decreased. Baseline R was 5.8±0.5 when compared with 11.4±1.0 at 2 hours. R remained prolonged at 18 hours. Other thrombelastography parameters were normal by 18 hours.
Conclusions: Thrombelastography can detect the anticoagulant effect of factor Xa inhibitors in patients with stroke and might be useful in the emergency management of those eligible for thrombolysis.
Keywords: factor Xa; rivaroxaban; stroke; thrombolytic therapy.