Abstract
Objectives To retrospectively compare functional outcomes between patients with ischaemic stroke and known atrial fibrillation (AF) based on their anticoagulation status.
Methods 244 consecutive patients admitted to Central Coast Local Health District from 1 November 2019 to 30 October 2021 with ischaemic stroke and known history of AF were included in the study. 40 patients with a new AF diagnosis during the index admission were excluded. Univariate relationship between anticoagulation status, baseline clinical characteristics, and 90-day Modified Rankin score (mRS) was assessed. Chi-squared analysis and logistic regression was used for categorical and continuous variables respectively. A p-value of <0.05 was the cut-off for statistical significance.
Results 204 patients with an ischaemic stroke had documented AF prior to the index admission, of which 126 were anticoagulated.Mean pre-treatment NIHSS score was lower for anticoagulated patients (6.62 vs 8.47 p= 0.04). Mean baseline mRS did not significantly differ. Anticoagulated patients were more likely to reside in independent living. The median length of stay did not differ between groups. Non-anticoagulated patients were more likely to have large vessel occlusions (37.18% vs 23.81%, p=0.04) and more likely to receive tPA (15.38% versus 1.59%, p<0.01). There was no difference in rates of endovascular clot retrieval between groups (p>0.05). Poor functional outcome at 90 days (mRS >= 3) did not significantly differ between groups (p=0.51).
Conclusions Baseline anticoagulation was associated with milder stroke severity patients with known AF and an ischaemic stroke. There was no difference in functional outcomes at 90 days between groups.
