Does anticoagulation influence long-term outcome in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and severe ischemic stroke?
Our results suggest that chronic anticoagulation therapy may be effective in lengthening survival and preventing recurrent thromboembolism in AF patients who have suffered a severely disabling ischemic stroke.
Despite lower rates of long-term mortality and thromboembolism (the latter because of advanced atherosclerosis) in group A, there were no differences in rates of other valve-related complications. Hence, older age cannot be considered a contraindication to implantation of mechanical valves in the aortic position.