Burden of oral anticoagulation in embolic stroke of undetermined source without atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Objective: Prevention of recurrent stroke in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) is challenging. The advent of safer anticoagulation in the form of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has prompted exploration of prophylactic anticoagulation for all ESUS patients, rather than anticoagulating just those with documented atrial fibrillation (AF). However, recent trials have failed to demonstrate a clinical benefit, while observing increased bleeding. We modeled the economic impact of anticoagulating ESUS patients without documented AF across multiple geographies. Methods: CRYSTAL-AF trial data were used to assess ischaemic stroke event rates in ESUS patients confirmed AF-fr..