Siller, T; Chandratheva, A; Buecke, P; Werring, DJ; Seiffge, D; (2021) Acute Stroke Treatment in an Anticoagulated Patient: When Is Thrombolysis an Option? Current Treatment Options in Neurology , 23 (12) 10.1007/s11940-021-00695-z.

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Abstract

Purpose of Review: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs: the factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban and the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran) are the mainstay of stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, there is a residual stroke risk of 1–2% per year despite DOAC therapy. Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) reduces morbidity in patients with ischemic stroke and improves functional outcome. Prior DOAC therapy is a (relative) contraindication for IVT but emerging evidence supports its use in selected patients. // Recent Findings: Recent observational studies highlighted that IVT in patients on prior DOAC therapy seems feasible and did not yield major safety issues. Different selection criteria and approaches have been studied including selection by DOAC plasma levels, non-specific coagulation assays, time since last intake, and prior reversal agent use. The optimal selection process is however not clear and most studies comprised few patients. // Summary: IVT in patients taking DOAC is a clinically challenging scenario. Several approaches have been proposed without major safety issues but current evidence is weak. A patient-oriented approach balancing potential benefits of IVT (i.e., amount of salvageable penumbra) against expected bleeding risk including appropriate monitoring of anticoagulant activity seem justified.

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