Lower mortality in patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation who received anticoagulation treatment
Andersen, K.K.; Olsen, T.S.øj.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 169(41): 3493-3495
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1603-6824 PMID: 17967281 Document Number: 606813
A registry of hospitalized stroke patients in Denmark included 1,909 patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF) without contraindications to anticoagulation (AC) treatment. AC instituted in 60.2% was significantly associated to age and stroke severity. In a Cox Proportional Hazard regression model the risk of death was doubled in patients who had no AC treatment (HR =1.91, 95% CI=1.44 to 2.52). The study indicates under-use of AC in elderly stroke patients with AF, leading to increased mortality.