In a significant stride toward understanding treatment efficacy for cervical artery dissection, a recent study presents an updated systematic review and meta-analysis, delving into the comparative benefits and risks of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies. This comprehensive analysis builds on the observational Antithrombotic for STOP-CAD study, offering critical insights that could influence future clinical practices and patient outcomes.
Study Overview and Methodology
The systematic review, registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023468063), incorporated data from five databases, targeting both antiplatelets and anticoagulants in the context of cervical artery dissection. The analysis included 11 studies—comprising two randomized trials and nine observational studies—encompassing a total of 5039 patients. Specifically, 30% (1512) of these patients received anticoagulation therapy, while 70% (3527) were treated with antiplatelets. The meta-analyses evaluated the efficacy regarding ischemic stroke prevention and safety concerning major hemorrhage, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality, using relative risk metrics.
Key Findings
The results indicated that anticoagulation therapy significantly lowered the risk of ischemic stroke (relative risk, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.43 to 0.94]; P=0.02; I2=0%) compared to antiplatelet therapy. However, this benefit came with an increased risk of major bleeding (relative risk, 2.25 [95% CI, 1.07 to 4.72]; P=0.03, I2=0%). The risks of death and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were found to be comparable between the two treatments. Notably, the effect sizes were more pronounced in randomized trials, suggesting stronger evidence in these controlled settings.
User-Usable Inferences
– Anticoagulation therapy is more effective in reducing ischemic stroke risk in patients with cervical artery dissection.
– Patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy face a higher risk of major bleeding compared to those on antiplatelet therapy.
– Both antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies present similar risks of death and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.
– There is a need for large, randomized clinical trials to determine the optimal antithrombotic strategy for cervical artery dissection management.
The study underscores the necessity for individualized therapeutic approaches, weighing the net clinical benefits of ischemic stroke reduction against the bleeding risks. Given the limitations in data regarding dual antiplatelet therapy or direct oral anticoagulants, further research is essential to refine treatment protocols.
Original Article: Stroke. 2024 Jun 7. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.124.047310. Online ahead of print.

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