Premium
Documentation of atrial fibrillation prior to first‐ever ischemic stroke
Author(s) -
Baturova M. A.,
Lindgren A.,
Shubik Y. V.,
Olsson S. B.,
Platonov P. G.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/ane.12203
Subject(s) - atrial fibrillation , medicine , stroke (engine) , medical record , sinus rhythm , ischemic stroke , cardiology , pediatrics , emergency medicine , ischemia , mechanical engineering , engineering
Objectives We assessed the prevalence of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) prior to first‐ever ischemic stroke by examining a comprehensive electronic ECG archive. Methods The study sample comprised 336 consecutive stroke patients (median age 76 ( IQ 16) y, 200 men) enrolled in L und S troke R egister from M arch 2001 to F ebruary 2002 and 336 age‐ and gender‐matched controls without stroke history. AF prior to admission was studied using the regional electronic ECG database and record linkage with the N ational S wedish H ospital D ischarge R egister ( SHDR ). Medical records were reviewed for AF documentation and CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c risk score. Results Atrial fibrillation before or at stroke onset was detected in 109 (32.4%) stroke patients and 44 (13.1%) controls, P < 0.001. Twenty‐five of 109 stroke patients had AF detected only on previous ECG ( n = 14) or through the SHDR ( n = 11). The most prevalent type of AF in stroke group was non‐permanent AF (59.6%). AF prevalence among patients admitted with sinus rhythm at hospital admission ( n = 266) was higher in those with CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score ≥ 6 (28.6%) than with CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score < 6 (13.0%), P = 0.043. Conclusion Comprehensive approach for AF screening allows detecting AF in one‐third of patients admitted with first‐ever ischemic stroke. Patients with high cardiovascular risk are more likely to have non‐permanent AF .