ATRIAL FIBRILLATION & STROKE;HAS ANTITHROMBOTIC PROPHYLAXIS CHANGED THE MODE OF PRESENTATION FROM ISCHAEMIC TO HEMORRHAGIC ?

<p>ABSTRACT<br />
Background: Both atrial fibrillation and stroke are common disorders. Untreated AF can complicate ischaemic stroke.<br />
Prophylactic antithrombotics for AF has the potential of causing haemorrhagic strokes.<br />
Aim &amp; Objective: To determine the frequency of the type of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation on/not on antithrombotic<br />
prophylaxis.<br />
Place and Duration: Medical A Unit, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan, from 8th Feb 2011 to 8th Feb<br />
2012.<br />
Subjects &amp; Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on admitted pts from both genders above age 18 who<br />
had atrial fibrillation and stroke. After obtaining a detailed history and conducting a thorough clinical examination, a<br />
long lead ECG and CT Scan were advised to all those who clinically had AF and features of stroke whether on antithrombotic<br />
prophylaxis or not on such measures. All these informations were entered in a printed proforma which later<br />
on was analysed through spss.<br />
Results: A total of 78 patients with AF and stroke irrespective of whether on or off antithrombotic agents were studied<br />
for the type of stroke (hemorrhagic or non hemorrhagic). Fourteen {14(17.4%)} had hemorrhagic strokes and 64(82.5%)<br />
had nonhemorrhagic strokes. Twentyeight {28(35.89%)} were on antithrombotics while 50(64.1%) had no h/o intake of<br />
antithrombotic agents. Out of 14 pts with hemorrhagic stroke 7 were on antithrombotic agents while 7 had no such a<br />
history. Out of 64 pts with nonhemorrhagic stroke 21 were on antithrombotic agents while 43 were not on such agents.<br />
Conclusion: Overall still in patients with atrial fibrillation the frequency of ischemic strokes is more than the hemorrhagic<br />
strokes even if antithrombotic prophylaxis with its tendency to cause hemorrhagic phenomena is taken into consideration</p>