Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosed After Stroke: A Unique Entity?

Patients with AF diagnosed only after a stroke had fewer recurrent strokes than those with AF diagnosed before the index stroke.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is widely recognized as the leading cause of cardioembolic stroke. Identification of AF is important because patients with AF derive greater benefit from oral anticoagulant (OAC) medications than from antiplatelet agents.

Owing to the importance of identifying AF, cardiac monitoring is frequently performed after a stroke or transient ischemic attack. These authors evaluated recurrent stroke risk in patients at multiple centers participating in the Ontario Stroke Registry. Patients were divided into three groups: (1) known AF prior to the stroke; (2) AF diagnosed after the stroke (AFDAS); or (3) sinus rhythm. The authors compared comorbidities in the three groups and the subsequent rate of stroke at 1 year, determined…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosed After Stroke: A Unique Entity?

Topics

Reviewing Author