Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Background. Early aspirin is standard of care after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). There is increased incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with AIS and reduced mobility, but thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) must be weighed against the risk of bleeding. We compared safety and efficacy of early aspirin with or without LMWH in AIS and reduced mobility.
Methods. Patients with AIS and Modified Rankin Scale of 4-5 were identified in the TriNetX Research Database. Patients were categorized as either aspirin alone or aspirin plus LMWH within 72 hours of AIS. We excluded patients receiving any other anticoagulant, thrombolytic agents, or with history of long-term anticoagulation or atrial fibrillation. Bivariable analysis was performed with chi-square and independent t-tests. Cohorts were then 1:1 propensity score-matched by 26 relevant covariables including demographics, comorbidities, and medications. Outcomes were all-cause mortality, VTE, intracranial hemorrhage, and extracranial hemorrhage at 30 and 90 days.
Results. We included 2,572 patients in each cohort. Mean age and SD was 71±13, and 48% were male. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality in patients treated with aspirin alone versus aspirin plus LMWH at 30 days (RR=1.1, 95% CI: 0.91-1.3) or 90 days (RR=1.2, 95% CI: 0.98-1.3). Similarly, the risks of VTE and intracranial or extracranial hemorrhage were not significantly different at either timepoint.
Conclusions. In patients with AIS and reduced mobility, the early addition of LMWH to aspirin may have similar risks of bleeding, all-cause mortality, and VTE.