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Clinical predictors to identify paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after ischaemic stroke
Author(s) -
Wohlfahrt J.,
Stahrenberg R.,
WeberKrüger M.,
Gröschel S.,
Wasser K.,
Edelmann F.,
Seegers J.,
Wachter R.,
Gröschel K.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/ene.12198
Subject(s) - medicine , atrial fibrillation , stroke (engine) , cardiology , odds ratio , confidence interval , coronary artery disease , ischaemic stroke , mechanical engineering , engineering
Background and purpose Detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (p AF ) after an ischaemic cerebrovascular event is of imminent interest, because oral anticoagulation as a highly effective secondary preventive treatment is available. Whereas permanent atrial fibrillation ( AF) can be detected during routine electrocardiogram ( ECG ), longer detection duration will detect more p AF but might be resource consuming. The current study tried to identify clinical predictors for p AF detected during long‐term H olter ECG and clinical follow‐up. Methods Patients with acute ischaemic stroke were prospectively investigated with an intensified algorithm to detect p AF (7‐day H olter ECG , follow‐up investigations after 90 days and 1 year). Results Two hundred and eighty‐one patients were included, 44 of whom had to be excluded since they presented with permanent AF and another 13 patients had to be excluded due to other causes leaving 224 patients (mean age 68.5 years, 58.5% male). Twenty‐nine (12.9%) patients could be identified to have p AF during prolonged H olter monitoring, an additional 13 (5.8%) after follow‐up investigations. Multivariate analysis identified advanced age [odds ratio ( OR ) 1.05, 95% confidence interval ( CI ) 1.01–1.08] as well as clinical symptoms >24 h ( OR 5.17, 95% CI 1.73–15.48) and a history of coronary artery disease ( OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.35–7.28) to be predictive for the detection of p AF . Conclusions In acute stroke patients with advanced age, history of coronary artery disease and clinical symptoms >24 h, a prolonged H olter ECG monitoring and follow‐up is warranted to identify p AF . This could increase the detection rate of patients requiring anticoagulation and may be able to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke in the case of successful anticoagulation of these patients.