RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that oral anticoagulant prophylaxis (OAC) is under-used in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the attitude to prescribing OAC in patients with AF observed in an Italian Stroke Unit (SU) and the severity of ischemic stroke due to AF in comparison with that of other etiologies. METHODS: We prospectively studied a continuous series of acute stroke patients admitted to our SU from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005. Using Multiple Logistic Regression, we analyzed factors associated with the non-use of OAC and with poor prognosis. RESULTS: Of 400 consecutive ischemic stroke patients, 103 (25.75 %) had AF; this group was older (mean age+/-sd= 79.74 +/- 10.15 years vs. 73.49 +/- 12.72; P = 0.0000045) and their strokes were more severe (NIHSS median value = 10 vs. 7, P < 0.002) in comparison with the group of patients whose strokes were due to other etiologies. Only 27.27% of patients with known AF, and without contraindications, were under OAC before the onset of stroke. The main independent factor associated with the non-use of OAC was old age. Moreover, AF proved to be a significant independent predictor of poor prognosis in our stroke population. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate a marked under- use of OAC prophylaxis in AF subjects in Italy. Campaigns to raise awareness and to improve the implementation of guidelines on stroke prevention strategies are strongly recommended, not least because stroke due to AF has a worse prognosis.