Treatment Guidelines
Treating AF in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients
When you know a cryptogenic stroke patient has AF, you can apply guideline driven treatment, aimed at reducing the probability of recurrent stroke.
- The American and European stroke guidelines recommend that patients with cryptogenic stroke take antiplatelet agents (i.e., aspirin) to prevent recurrence.1-3
- Once AF is detected, patients should be on oral anticoagulants per the guidelines.
Following stroke4:
Once AF is documented5:
References:
1. Adams Jr HP, del Zoppo G, Alberts MJ, et al. Guidelines for the early management of adults with ischemic stroke: a guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council, Clinical Cardiology Council, Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention Council, and the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease and Quality of Care Outcomes in Research Interdisciplinary Working Groups: the American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline as an educational tool for neurologists. Circulation 2007;115:e478-e534 [Erratum in: Circulation. 2007;30;116(18):e515].
2. Sacco R. Guidelines for prevention of stroke in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. A statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Council on Stroke. Stroke 2006;37:577-617.
3. The European Stroke Organisation (ESO) Executive Committee, ESO Writing Committee. Guidelines for management of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack 2008. Cerebrovasc Dis 2008; 25:457-507.
4. Furie K. et al. Guideline for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack. A guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Council. Stroke 2010:23
5. Fuster V. et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With AF. Circ; 2006;114:700-752.
1. Adams Jr HP, del Zoppo G, Alberts MJ, et al. Guidelines for the early management of adults with ischemic stroke: a guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council, Clinical Cardiology Council, Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention Council, and the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease and Quality of Care Outcomes in Research Interdisciplinary Working Groups: the American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline as an educational tool for neurologists. Circulation 2007;115:e478-e534 [Erratum in: Circulation. 2007;30;116(18):e515].
2. Sacco R. Guidelines for prevention of stroke in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. A statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Council on Stroke. Stroke 2006;37:577-617.
3. The European Stroke Organisation (ESO) Executive Committee, ESO Writing Committee. Guidelines for management of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack 2008. Cerebrovasc Dis 2008; 25:457-507.
4. Furie K. et al. Guideline for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack. A guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Council. Stroke 2010:23
5. Fuster V. et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With AF. Circ; 2006;114:700-752.
Last updated: 26 Feb 2013
Be Informed
Hear what your colleagues are saying about Cryptogenic Stroke
and AF