Early start of DOAC after ischemic stroke: Risk of intracranial hemorrhage and recurrent events

Abstract

Objective: In patients with recent acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and atrial fibrillation, we assessed the starting time of direct, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for secondary prevention, the rate of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and recurrent ischemic events during follow-up.

Methods: We included consecutive patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation admitted to our hospital for AIS or TIA (index event) who received secondary prophylaxis with DOAC or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Follow-up was at least 3 months. In the primary analysis, we compared rates of ICH and recurrent ischemic events (AIS or TIA) between patients with early (≤7 days since event; DOAC_early) and those with late (>7 days, DOAC_late) start of DOAC.

Results: Two hundred four patients were included (median age 79 years, 89% AIS) and total follow-up time was 78.25 patient-years. One hundred fifty-five patients received DOAC with a median delay of 5 days after the index event (interquartile range 3-11) and 49 received VKA. DOAC was started early in 100 patients (65%). We observed one ICH (1.3%/y) and 6 recurrent AIS (7.7%/y). The ICH occurred in a patient taking VKA. No significant difference in the rate of recurrent AIS between DOAC_early (5.1%/y) and DOAC_late (9.3%/y, p = 0.53) was observed.

Conclusions: Even if DOACs are often started early after an index event, the risk of ICH appears to be low. Among all patients receiving anticoagulation, the rate of recurrent events was 6 times higher than the rate of ICH.