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(Stroke. 2009;40:1158.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

Go Red for Women

First Trimester Stroke Prophylaxis in Pregnant Women With a History of Stroke

From the Department of Neurology (A.K.H.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; the American Academy of Neurology (O.D.), Saint Paul, Minn; and the Department of Neurology and the Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center (S.J.K.), Baltimore Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and the Department of Neurology (S.J.K.), University of Maryland at Baltimore.

Correspondence to Ann K. Helms, MD, Department of Neurology, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226. E-mail ahelms{at}mcw.edu

Background and Purpose— Current recommendations for stroke prevention during early pregnancy in women with a prior stroke history are based on limited evidence. In view of the uncertainty involved in balancing the fetal risk of medication against the maternal risk of recurrent stroke, a substantial variation in clinical decision making was anticipated. Thus, a survey was performed to describe the current practices of U.S. neurologists with a particular interest in stroke with regards to treatment of such patients.

Methods— A survey was sent to 384 actively practicing U.S. members of the American Academy of Neurology Stroke and Vascular Neurology section asking what antithrombotic, if any, they would use during first trimester pregnancy in women with a prior history of stroke, either unrelated or related to a previous pregnancy.

Results— 230 practitioners responded. Some form of antithrombotic therapy was selected by 75% of practitioners for women with a history of prior stroke not related to pregnancy and by 88% of practitioners for women with a history of prior stroke related to pregnancy. Aspirin and low molecular weight heparin were chosen by 51% and 7%, respectively, for stroke unrelated to pregnancy and by 41% and 25%, respectively, for stroke related to pregnancy.

Conclusions— Most practitioners agree that women with a history of stroke should receive prophylaxis during the first trimester. However, much disagreement exists regarding which drug(s) to use. A national registry would be the most practical method of obtaining maternal and fetal outcome data to guide practice in this setting.

Key Words: all cerebrovascular disease/stroke • stroke in young adults • stroke prevention