OPTIMAS: OPtimal TIMing of Anticoagulation after AF-associated acute ischaemic Stroke: a randomised controlled trial
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm disturbance that affects many people as they get older. Because of the irregular heart beat in AF, a clot can form inside the chambers of the heart, which can be swept up to the brain, blocking its blood supply and causing a stroke. People who’ve had a stroke because of AF are at a high risk of having another stroke soon after, which can be reduced by taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medicines). But these drugs also carry a small risk of causing bleeding on the brain. There is a lack of evidence about the best time to start prescribing anticoagulants after AF-related stroke. It’s really important to address this, so that patients are protected from further strokes, but with the lowest possible risk of bleeding. In this clinical trial, Professor Werring and his team will compare the effects of starting the newest type of oral anticoagulant drugs (called DOACs) less than four days after stroke with the current practice of waiting seven to fourteen days. More than 3,000 people who have had a stroke due to AF will be recruited into the trial. Half will start blood-thinning drugs earlier, and half will start them later. Information about their health and progress over the following 90 days will be analysed to see which treatment time is most beneficial for these people. The results of the study could change the way AF-related strokes are treated in the UK, helping more people to avoid a second stroke safely.
Project details
| Grant amount | £2,209,373 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Clinical Studies |
| Application type | Clinical Study |
| Start Date | 05 April 2018 |
| Duration | 5 years |
| Reference | CS/17/6/33361 |
| Status | In Progress |
