aspirin and secondary stroke prophylaxis in NRAF
Last edited 04/2020 and last reviewed 05/2021
Stroke or TIA in patients with non rheumatic atrial fibrilation in whom intracranial haemorrhage has been excluded should be given aspirin:
- in NRAF aspirin prevents 40 vascular events per 1000 patient years of treatment (1).
- definitive anti-platelet therapy should be commenced at 2 weeks post symptoms
Anticoagulation should be introduced subsequently:
- in NRAF anticoagulation prevents 90 vascular events per 1000 patient years of treatment (1).
Reference:
- (1) European Atrial Fibrillation Trial Study Group. Secondary prevention in non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation after transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke. Lancet, 1993;342: 1255.
anticoagulation or aspirin in AF