RASUNOA

Antithrombotic therapy with oral anticoagulation with either vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOAC) is recommended as a primary and secondary preventive measure against stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data on the current practice of emergency treatment for patients with acute ischaemic stroke or acute cerebral haemorrhage is still lacking.

The aim of the registry is, therefore, to describe the emergency management of acute stroke patients on different anticoagulation regimens from a diagnostic and therapeutic perspective. It also serves to identify the risks of early complications and factors that influence the outcome of stroke patients after three months.

RASUNOA-Prime is a prospective, investigator-initiated, multicentre cohort study comprising two sub-studies:

1. Patients with acute ischaemic stroke
2. Patients with acute intracerebral haemorrhage.

Patient recruitment took place from June 2015 to March 2021. Patients with AF and acute stroke (ischaemic stroke n=2737; intracerebral haemorrhage n=951) in 42 neurological hospitals with certified stroke units were included in the nationwide register. In order to ensure a balanced inclusion for all three treatment regimens, patients were included according to an algorithm which stipulates that only if a patient on NOAC was included in the study could a patient on VKA or a patient without anticoagulation before the stroke also be included.

Data collection included study-specific information (laboratory values, thrombolytic or haemostatic therapy, complications) taken from routine clincial care and neuroradiological imaging. The imaging  was evaluated centrally from independent rater. In addition, the patients were asked about their state of health in a 3-month follow-up.

The study ended in December 2023.