Early anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation-related acute ischaemic stroke: efficacy and safety profile.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of early anticoagulation on functional outcome, recurrent ischaemic events and haemorrhagic complications in Atrial Fibrillation (AF)-related acute ischaemic strokes (AIS).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients hospitalised in a Stroke Unit due to AF-related AIS. Patients were divided according to anticoagulation initiation timing (0-4 days, 5-14 days, no anticoagulation by the 14th day).