Timing of anticoagulation for patients with atrial fibrillation after acute ischemic stroke: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the setting of atrial fibrillation (Afib) will need to start/resume anticoagulation (AC) as it is the mainstay for secondary stroke prevention. Several studies have compared the safety and outcomes of starting/resuming AC in early or late start windows (ESW or LSW) but there is no consensus in clinical practice on the optimal timing of anticoagulation. This meta-analysis aims to compare the safety and outcome measures after resuming AC in the ESW versus LSW in patients with Afib after AIS.