Cryptogenic stroke comprises about one-quarter of ischemic strokes with high recurrence rate; however, studies specifically investigating the features and treatment of this stroke subtype are rare. The concept of \'embolic stroke of undetermined source\' (ESUS) may facilitate the development of a standardized approach to diagnose cryptogenic stroke and improve clinical trials. Since recent large randomized control trials failed to demonstrate a reduction in stroke recurrence with anticoagulants, anti-platelet agents remain the first-line treatment for ESUS patients. Nevertheless, patients with high risk of stroke recurrence (e.g., those with repeated embolic infarcts despite aspirin treatment) require a more extensive survey of stroke etiology, including cardiac imaging and prolonged cardiac rhythm monitoring. Anticoagulant treatments may still benefit some subgroups of high-risk ESUS patients, such as those with multiple infarcts at different arterial territories without aortic atheroma, the elderly, or patients with high CHA2D2-VASc or HOVAC scores, atrial cardiopathy or patent foramen ovale. Several important ESUS clinical trials are ongoing, and the results are anticipated. With rapid progress in our understanding of ESUS pathophysiology, new subcategorizations of ESUS and assignment of optimal treatments for each ESUS subgroup are expected in the near future.

For some years now, direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have entered the clinical practice for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) or for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, there is uncertainty on DOACs\' use in some clinical scenarios that are not fully explored by clinical trials, but commonly encountered in the real world. We report a Delphi Consensus on DOAC use in VTE patients. The consensus dealt with seven main topics: (1) clinical superiority of DOACs compared to VKAs; (2) therapeutic options for patients with intermediate risk PE; (3) therapeutic management of patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT); (4) DOACs\' role in oncological patients with VTE; (5) role of the reversal agent; (6) safety of low doses of DOACs in VTE patients; (7) DOACs long-term therapy (more than 12 months) in VTE patients; Forty-six physicians (cardiologists, internists, angiologists, oncologists, hematologists, and geriatricians) from Italy expressed their level of agreement on each statement by using a five-point Likert scale (1: strongly disagree, 2: disagree, 3: somewhat agree, 4: agree, 5: strongly agree). Votes 1-2 were considered as disagreement, while votes 3-5 as agreement. For each statement an agreement of ≥ 66% among the respondents was considered consensus. A brief discussion about the results for each topic is also reported.

BACKGROUND: The 10th edition of the CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was recently updated with recommendations on both the choice of anticoagulants and the duration of treatment in diverse clinical scenarios.
METHODS: In this paper, we focus on news in the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACS), a group of synthetic low molecular weight drugs capable of directly and specifically inhibiting either activated factor X or both free and fibrin- bound thrombin.
RESULTS: New to the guidelines is the recommendation of the use of DOACS over vitamin K-antagonists (VKA´s) in individuals without cancer who develop VTE. The choice and intensity of anticoagulants is the same for lower and upper extremity thrombosis or for pulmonary embolism. For cancer-related thrombosis low molecular weight heparin is still recommended over the use of VKA´s or DOACS, though high quality evidence for this choice is lacking. If therapy is given beyond three months, remaining on the same anticoagulant is suggested. Re-thrombosis while on regular use of DOACs requires switching to low molecular weight heparins at least for one month.
CONCLUSIONS: Ultimately the choice of anticoagulant will depend on patient-specific factors such as comorbidities, compliance, patient preferences, availability and costs. We address the news in DOAC use in VTE from the perspective of an upper-middle income economy.

With the emergence of edoxaban, the oral factor Xa inhibitors now appear consolidated as the dominant class of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The oral factor Xa inhibitors do not require an adequate time in therapeutic range to be effective, presenting a potential advantage over the vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Guidelines are changing to reflect the increased choice of anticoagulants and as clinicians move away from the VKAs towards the relative safety and efficacy of NOACs, they must consider which one offers the best therapy for their patient. The ENGAGE-AF study was the latest phase III trial to report on the safety and efficacy of a new factor Xa inhibitor relative to warfarin. Both edoxaban 60mg once daily, and edoxaban 30mg once daily were found to be non-inferior compared to warfarin for the prevention of ischaemic stroke and systemic embolism, being associated with significantly lower rates of major bleeding, intracranial haemorrhage and cardiovascular death. A two-tiered dosing option may present clinicians with a further element of choice for the individual patient.