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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke, but population-based data on AF in patients who experience a first ischemic stroke are limited. These researchers analyzed AF prevalence among 3530 people in L'Aquila, Italy, who had ECG data available for their first-ever ischemic stroke (mean age at onset, 79) and were enrolled in a prospective, population-based study from 1994 to 1998.
Admission ECGs documented AF in 869 patients (24.6%), 340 men and 529 women. AF prevalence increased with age in both sexes, from 4.4% in patients younger than 50 to 44.7% in those age 90 or older; prevalence was higher in women than in men after age 60. During the first year of follow-up, stroke recurrence was somewhat higher among patien…