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Glick JA, Brophy GM: Prevention and treatment of cardioembolic stroke: a case study. Consult Pharm. 2009 Dec;24(12):903-9.
Ischemic stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate evaluation and treatment. During the acute phase following stroke, the goal of therapy is reperfusion of the ischemic area with thrombolytic therapy. Blood pressure (BP) goals during the first 24 hours depend on eligibility for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Following the acute phase, therapy is directed at prevention of recurrent stroke with antithrombotics and control of ischemic-stroke risk factors. This is a case of a 79-year-old female with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation who was inappropriately started on aspirin for anticoagulation despite her high risk for stroke. She subsequently suffered a cardioembolic stroke. The patient was not a candidate for tPA because of the inability to determine when symptom onset occurred. Supportive care focused on BP and glycemic control as well as venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Secondary prevention of stroke for this patient included treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia as well as initiation of warfarin. |
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