These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation, and stroke.
    Author: Morley J, Marinchak R, Rials SJ, Kowey P.
    Journal: Am J Cardiol; 1996 Jan 25; 77(3):38A-44A. PubMed ID: 8607390.
    Abstract:
    There is a demonstrated statistical association between atrial fibrillation, rheumatic valvular disease, and embolic stroke. This article assesses the results of 6 major clinical trials (AFASAK, BAATAF, SPINAF, SPAF [parts I and II], CAFA and EAFTA--see text for trial names). Multivariate analysis revealed 4 independent clinical features that identified patients with atrial fibrillation at an increased risk for stroke: hypertension, increasing age, previous transient ischemic attack, and diabetes mellitus. Without anticoagulation therapy, patients with any of these risk factors had a 4% annual risk of stroke. Patients with cardiac disorders such as congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease have a stroke rate 3 times higher than patients without any risk factors; patients with atrial fibrillation but no concomitant risk factors or structural heart disease seemed to have little concomitant risk for stroke. Meta-analysis revealed a 64% reduction of risk for stroke in patients treated with warfarin, as compared with placebo. The value of warfarin therapy in patients > 75 years old is less clear because of a high risk of hemorrhagic complications.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]