Atrial septal defect medical therapy for stroke


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
Aspirin has been found to decrease the incidence of recurrent stroke and transient ischemic attacks in patients with atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale. The  'American Heart Association'  guidelines support the utilization of sustained warfarin therapy in high-risk atrial septal defect patients.

Medical therapy for stroke

 * Researchers have investigated the justification for aspirin therapy in patients with atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale, who have had stroke or a transient ischemic attack. Aspirin therapy was observed to have an effective role in reducing the incidence of recurrent stroke after four years.
 * Another pharmacologic intervention study indicated that both aspirin and warfarin therapy were effective
 * The AHA guidelines support the utilization of sustained warfarin therapy in high-risk atrial septal defect patients.