CHA2DS2-VASc score and prior oral anticoagulant use on endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and prior use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) on endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Patients with AF who received EVT in 353 centers in Japan (2018-2020) were included. The outcomes were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), in-hospital mortality, functional independence, and successful and complete reperfusion. The effects of CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, its components, and prior use of OACs were assessed via a multiple logistic regression model.

Results: Of the 6984 patients, 780 (11.2%) used warfarin and 1168 (16.7%) used direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) before EVT. Based on the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, 6046 (86.6%) presented a high risk (≥2 for males and ≥3 for females) while 938 (13.4%) had intermediate to low risks. Higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores were associated with increased sICH, in-hospital mortality, and decreased functional independence, regardless of prior OACs. For patients with a high-risk category, prior DOACs increased the odds of successful and complete reperfusion (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)], 1.27 [1.00-1.61] and 1.30 [1.10-1.53]). For those with integrated intermediate to low risks, neither prior warfarin nor DOAC affected the outcomes. Regardless of total CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores, patients with congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction, hypertension, age >75 years, or female benefited similarly from prior DOAC use.

Interpretation: Prior DOAC use for patients with high- and selected intermediate-risk CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores increased prevalence of successful and complete reperfusion. These findings may provide supplemental evidence to introduce preventive DOAC for patients with AF.