The effect of rivaroxaban vs aspirin on stroke recurrence among patients with history of cryptogenic stroke and left atrial cardiomyopathy: An analytical cross-sectional study

Background: Stroke is defined as a lack of blood flow in the brain that can cause neurological deficits. Approximately 25% of all ischemic stroke patients are classified as cryptogenic strokes, most of which are caused by an embolic mechanism. Anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban may result in a lower risk of recurrent stroke than aspirin in patients with history of cryptogenic stroke and left atrial cardiomyopathy. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we compared the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban with aspirin for the prevention of recurrent stroke in patients with history of cryptogenic stroke and left atrial cardiomyopathy. Results: The results showed that assuming the other variables such as age, sex, hypertension, and diabetes be constant, stroke recurrence odds ratio in the Aspirin therapy was 11 times more than rivaroxaban therapy (OR=11.35, CI 95%: 1.39-113.08, P-value=0.038). Conclusion: Rivaroxaban was superior to aspirin with regard to the prevention of recurrent stroke among patients with history of cryptogenic stroke and left atrial cardiomyopathy.