Impacto de los cambios en la prescripción del tratamiento anticoagulante en laincidencia de ictus

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation markedly increases the risk of stroke. Numerous clinical trials and real-life studies have demonstrated that anticoagulant treatment decreases the risk of thromboembolic complications. For anticoagulation, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have a better efficacy and safety profile than vitamin K antagonists. Studies performed in countries neighboring Spain in recent years have identified reductions in the incidence of ischemic stroke that could be related to increased prescripción of oral anticoagulants, particularly DOACs. In Spain itself, información about this issue is very scarce. Nevertheless, the data available indicate that, here too, increased prescripción of oral anticoagulants, particularly DOACs, has also been associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of both ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage. Therefore, it is recommended that DOACs be used more frequently in patients with atrial fibrillation, as this would contribute to reducing not only the incidence of ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage but also the associated economic burden.