Authors: Ilana M Ruff Jenelle A Jindal
Publish Date: 2015/07/21
Volume: 17, Issue: 9, Pages: 51-
Abstract
Heparin has long been a contested therapy in acute ischemic stroke AIS In current practice heparin is considered on a casebycase basis but there is no consensus as to the appropriate timing of anticoagulation or for which ischemic stroke subtypes heparin may be beneficial To provide better clarity on this issue we review current research focusing on the use of heparin in AIS in each stroke subtype and subsequently make recommendations to provide readers with a systematic approach to managing complex stroke patients for which acute anticoagulation may be valuable We conclude that there are certain subpopulations of ischemic stroke patients that may derive benefit from heparin when given acutely including patients with symptomatic large artery stenosis 70Â nonocclusive intraluminal thrombus and in patients with highrisk cardiac conditions including left ventricular thrombus left ventricular assist devices and mechanical heart valves
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