What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to compare outcomes of early and delayed direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) initiation after ischaemic stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.

March 1, 2026Open Access

Early versus delayed DOAC after ischaemic stroke in atrial fibrillation: 1-year outcomes in the TIMING study and in concurrent practice

Key Result

Early initiation of DOAC in acute ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation is safe and effective at 1 year, without increased symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

Key Points

The aim is to compare outcomes of early and delayed direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) initiation after ischaemic stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.
Conducted a follow-up over one year
Assessed safety and effectiveness of early DOAC initiation
Compared outcomes with concurrent practice
Early DOAC initiation was found safe and effective
No increase in symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage was noted

Structured PICO

Does early initiation of DOAC improve safety and effectiveness compared to delayed DOAC in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation?

Population

Patients with acute ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation

Intervention

Early initiation of DOAC

Comparator

Delayed DOAC

Outcome

Safety and effectiveness (including symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage) at 1-year follow-upsafety

Early initiation of DOACs in patients with acute ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation is safe and does not increase the risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage at 1 year.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

At 1-year follow-up, early initiation of DOAC remained safe and effective with no increase in symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage. The results support early DOAC initiation in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation.