Editing Transient ischemic attack (section)

=== Anticoagulant medications ===
Anticoagulants may be started if the TIA is thought to be attributable to [[atrial fibrillation]]. Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that may cause the formation of blood clots that can travel to the brain, resulting in TIAs or ischemic strokes. Atrial fibrillation increases stroke risk by five times, and is thought to cause 10-12% of all ischemic strokes in the US.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4">{{cite journal | vauthors = López-López JA, Sterne JA, Thom HH, Higgins JP, Hingorani AD, Okoli GN, Davies PA, Bodalia PN, Bryden PA, Welton NJ, Hollingworth W, Caldwell DM, Savović J, Dias S, Salisbury C, Eaton D, Stephens-Boal A, Sofat R | display-authors = 6 | title = Oral anticoagulants for prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation: systematic review, network meta-analysis, and cost effectiveness analysis | journal = BMJ | volume = 359 | pages = j5058 | date = November 2017 | pmid = 29183961 | pmc = 5704695 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.j5058 }}</ref> [[Anticoagulant]] therapy can decrease the relative risk of ischemic stroke in those with atrial fibrillation by 67%<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Shoamanesh A, Charidimou A, Sharma M, Hart RG | title = Should Patients With Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack With Atrial Fibrillation and Microbleeds Be Anticoagulated? | journal = Stroke | volume = 48 | issue = 12 | pages = 3408–3412 | date = December 2017 | pmid = 29114097 | doi = 10.1161/STROKEAHA.117.018467 | s2cid = 3831870 | doi-access = free }}</ref> [[Warfarin]] and [[DOAC|direct acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs)]], such as [[apixaban]], have been shown to be equally effective while also conferring a lower risk of bleeding.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Proietti M, Romanazzi I, Romiti GF, Farcomeni A, Lip GY | title = Real-World Use of Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | journal = Stroke | volume = 49 | issue = 1 | pages = 98–106 | date = January 2018 | pmid = 29167388 | doi = 10.1161/STROKEAHA.117.018395 | hdl-access = free | s2cid = 204046043 | hdl = 2434/748104 }}</ref> Generally, anticoagulants and antiplatelets are not used in combination, as they result in increased bleeding risk without a decrease in stroke risk.<ref name=":2" /> However, combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy may be warranted if the patient has symptomatic coronary artery disease in addition to atrial fibrillation.

Sometimes, [[myocardial infarction]] ("heart attack") may lead to the formation of a blood clot in one of the chambers of the heart. If this is thought to be the cause of the TIA, people may be temporarily treated with warfarin or other anticoagulant to decrease the risk of future stroke.<ref name=":2" />