The selec- tion of antithrombotic agent should be individual- ized on the basis of patient risk factors (particularly risk for intracranial hemorrhage), cost, tolerability, patient preference, potential for drug interactions, and other clinical characteristics, including the time that the INR is in the therapeutic range for patients taking warfarin. 6. Closure of the LAA may be considered for high-risk patients with AF who are deemed unsuitable for anti- coagulation if performed at a center with low rates of periprocedural complications and the patient can tolerate the risk of at least 45 days of postprocedural anticoagulation (Class IIb; Level of Evidence B). Other Cardiac Conditions Cardiac conditions other than AF that are associated with an increased risk for stroke include acute MI; ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy; valvular heart disease, includ- ing prosthetic valves and infective endocarditis; patent fora- men ovale (PFO) and atrial septal aneurysms (ASAs); cardiac tumors; and aortic atherosclerosis. Acute MI A meta-analysis of population-based studies published between 1970 and 2004 found that the risk of ischemic stroke after acute MI was 11.1 per 1000 (95% CI, 10.7 11.5) during Factors associated with increased stroke risk included advanced age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anterior MI, AF, and con- gestive heart failure. Importantly, the risk of embolic stroke is increased in patients with anterior MI and left ventricular thrombus. 