Endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke patients with and without atrial fibrillation, and the effects of adjunctive pharmacotherapy: a narrative review

Introduction: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is associated with good clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke, but the impact of EVT on clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke with and without atrial fibrillation (AF), and the effect of adjunctive pharmacological therapies with EVT, remains unclear. 

Areas covered: The goal of this narrative review is to provide an overview of studies which have examined: 1) associations between EVT and outcomes for patients following ischemic stroke, 2) associations between EVT and outcomes for patients following ischemic stroke with and without AF, including function, reperfusion, hemorrhage, and mortality, 3) the effect of adjunctive pharmacological therapies peri- and post-thrombectomy, and 4) integration of prehospital care on endovascular treatment outcomes. 

Expert opinion: There is little evidence from randomized controlled trials on the effect of AF on stroke outcomes following EVT and the safety and efficacy of AF treatment in the peri-EVT such as tirofiban or Intravenous thrombolysis with Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant. The available evidence from observational studies on AF and EVT outcomes is inconsistent, but factors such as procedural EVT devices, the center volume, clinician experience, stroke recognition, and inclusion criteria of studies have all been associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Enhancing the clinical network among prehospital and hospitals will facilitate direct transfer to EVT centers, reducing stroke onset to EVT time and optimizing stroke outcomes.