Embolic Stroke in Cardiomyopathy: Should Patients be Anticoagulated?

Despite advances in the treatment of patients with heart failure, mortality is still substantial. Part of this mortality is explained by cardioembolic stroke. Patients with heart failure are predisposed to developing cardioembolic strokes owing to abnormalities in Virchow's triad (endothelial function, relative hypercoagulable state, and static blood flow). Several randomized controlled trials have addressed whether patients with heart failure benefit from anticoagulation. Overall, the results suggest the risk of bleeding with anticoagulation outweighs any small benefit conferred by anticoagulation.