Study Design:
Lixiana Acute Stroke Evaluation Registry (LASER) is a randomized controlled trial with an
associated registry. Patients with previously known or newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation
(AF) and acute ischemic stroke within five days will be randomized 2:1 to early (≤ 5 days) or
delayed (6-14 days) edoxaban initiation. Ischemic stroke will be defined as evidence of acute
focal cerebral infarction confirmed on CT/MRI and/or focal hypoperfusion/vessel occlusion on
multimodal CT, or by sudden focal and objective neurological deficits (i.e NIHSS ≥ 1) of
presumed ischemic origin persisting > 24 hours.
Study Aim and Objectives:
The primary aim of LASER is to demonstrate the safety of edoxaban initiation within five days
of cardioembolic stroke. Secondary aim is to determine predictors of hemorrhagic
transformation (HT) after cardioembolic stroke. Investigators will systematically assess
prospectively collected Computed Tomography (CT) scan images for evidence of HT and
re-infarction.