Treatment FAQ

if warfarin is contraindicated as a treatment for stroke, which medication is the best option?

by Prof. Monroe Larkin II Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

A client diagnosed with a stroke is ordered to receive warfarin. Later, the nurse learns that the warfarin is contraindicated and the order is canceled. The nurse knows that the best alternative medication to give is ticlodipine. dipyridamole. aspirin. clopidogrel.

Full Answer

Is warfarin contraindicated for stroke patients?

Anticoagulation therapy significantly reduces the incidence of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and warfarin therapy at discharge is a class I-indicated drug in patients with ischemic stroke with persistent or paroxysmal AF without contraindications. The aim was to determine whether participation in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-S) quality …

What is anticoagulant therapy for stroke patients?

Are patients with atrial fibrillation adherent to warfarin treatment at hospital discharge?

Which is better apixaban or warfarin for atrial fibrillation?

Which medicine is best for stroke?

Emergency IV medication. An IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) — also called alteplase (Activase) or tenecteplase (TNKase) — is the gold standard treatment for ischemic stroke. An injection of TPA is usually given through a vein in the arm within the first three hours.Jan 20, 2022

What is a common medication used after a stroke?

Most people will be offered a regular dose of aspirin. As well as being a painkiller, aspirin is an antiplatelet, which reduces the chances of another clot forming. Other antiplatelet medicines may be used, such as clopidogrel and dipyridamole.

When do you start clopidogrel after a stroke?

Recent minor non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA, DAPT with aspirin plus clopidogrel should be initiated early (ideally within 12–24 hours of symptom onset and at least within 7 days of onset) and continued for 21–90 days.

What medication is given to hemorrhagic stroke patients?

Hemorrhagic Stroke MedicationAnticonvulsants, Other.Anticonvulsants, Hydantoins.Beta Blockers, Alpha Activity.Beta Blockers, Beta-1 Selective.Vasodilators.Calcium Channel Blockers.Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors.Angiotensin Receptor Blockers.More items...•Apr 22, 2019

What is the first aid treatment for stroke?

Call emergency services and get to the hospital immediately.Call emergency services. ... If you're caring for someone else having a stroke, make sure they're in a safe, comfortable position. ... Check to see if they're breathing. ... Talk in a calm, reassuring manner.Cover them with a blanket to keep them warm.More items...

What are 3 treatments for a stroke?

Stroke treatmentClot-breaking drugs. Thrombolytic drugs can break up blood clots in your brain's arteries, which still stop the stroke and reduce damage to the brain. ... Mechanical thrombectomy.Stents. ... Surgery. ... Medications. ... Coiling. ... Clamping. ... Surgery.

Which anticoagulant is used to treat ischemic stroke?

Low-dose anticoagulant therapy with heparin or low molecular weight heparin is sometimes used for people with ischemic stroke who cannot move due to paralysis from the stroke. This treatment can help to prevent blood clots from forming in the leg veins or other veins in the body, which can cause pain and swelling.Aug 23, 2021

Are statins contraindicated in hemorrhagic stroke?

In summary, mathematical decision analysis of the available data suggests that, because of the high risk of recurrent ICH in survivors of prior hemorrhagic stroke, even a small amplification of this risk by statins suffices to recommend that they should be avoided after ICH.Jan 10, 2011

Which medication is most appropriate for secondary prevention of stroke?

Aspirin was the first antiplatelet agent to have established evidence for secondary stroke prevention. Currently, aspirin monotherapy, the combination of aspirin and extended-release dipyridamole, and clopidogrel monotherapy are recommended as the major choices.

Can warfarin cause hemorrhagic stroke?

- A new study shows that people who take the commonly used blood thinning drug warfarin may have larger amounts of bleeding in the brain and increased risk of death if they suffer a hemorrhagic stroke.

What medication should be avoided in hemorrhagic stroke?

Background and Purpose—Antiplatelet medicines are commonly perceived as contraindicated after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).Oct 14, 2010

Can you have a stroke while taking warfarin?

Stroke can occur in patients on warfarin despite anticoagulation. Patients with a low international normalized ratio (INR) should theoretically be at greater risk for ischemia than those who are therapeutic.Aug 11, 2017

How long does it take for warfarin to work?

A number of challenges are associated with the use of warfarin. First, warfarin takes several days to reach target blood levels. As a result, patients often need an intravenous or injectable anticoagulant to provide adequate blood thinning while warfarin becomes effective.

What is the purpose of anticoagulant?

Anticoagulants (commonly called blood thinners) are medications that interact with the body’s natural blood-clotting system to treat and prevent abnormal blood clots. Anticoagulants are used in patients who have blood clots in the legs (called deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or in the lungs (called pulmonary embolism or PE), ...

How often should I take NOAC?

NOACs are taken once or twice daily (depending on the NOAC being used and the condition being treated). Although NOACs have been evaluated for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and treatment and prevention of DVTs and PEs, they are contraindicated for treatment in patients with mechanical heart valves.

What is the best medication for atrial fibrillation?

Warfarin. Warfarin has been used for decades to treat patients with atrial fibrillation, DVT, or PE, and mechanical heart valves. Warfarin is most commonly dosed to a target INR range of 2 to 3. It is inexpensive relative to other anticoagulant options (a month’s supply costs ≈ $4).

Can warfarin be stopped before surgery?

Because its anticoagulant effect lasts for days, warfarin must be stopped several days before surgery and certain other procedures.

How much dabigatran is needed for stroke?

The dose of dabigatran is 150 mg twice daily.

Can INR be elevated?

Although elevated INR levels are associated with increased risk of bleeding, in particular, bleeding in and around the brain, bleeding events can occur even when the INR is within the target range.

What is the most important risk factor for stroke?

This advice is based on research data that shows the most important risk factor for stroke is: Hypertension.

What are the symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke?

While providing information to a community group, the nurse tells them the primary initial symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke are: Severe headache and early change in level of consciousness. A client has experienced an ischemic stroke that has damaged the frontal lobe of his brain.

What is discharge nurse?

A nurse is planning discharge for a client who experienced right-sided weakness caused by a stroke. During his hospitalization, the client has been receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy daily. The family voices concern about rehabilitation after discharge.

What is the nurse practitioner's job?

The nurse practitioner is able to correlate a patient's neurologic deficits with the location in the brain affected by ischemia or hemorrhage. For a patient with a left hemispheric stroke, the nurse would expect to see: Right-sided paralysis.

Absolute Contraindications

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Some of the absolute contraindications to warfarin include: 1. Large esophageal varices 2. Patients who have undergone major surgery within the last 72 hours 3. A platelet count less than 50 x 109/cu.mm, which constitutes significant thrombocytopenia 4. Hypersensitivity to the drug, such as skin ischemic necrosis …
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Relative Contraindications

  • Relative contraindications require a careful balancing of the risks of warfarin against the risks of thromboembolism before making a decision to administer the drug. These relative contraindications include: 1. Previous history of intracranial hemorrhage 2. Recent history of a major extracranial bleed without known cause 3. History of peptic ulceration within the past thre…
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References

  • https://www.health.qld.gov.au/publications/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/medicines/warfarin-guidelines.pdf
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Further Reading

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