Frequent Premature Atrial Contractions in Cryptogenic Stroke Predict Atrial Fibrillation Detection with Insertable Cardiac Monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Todo ◽  
Tomonori Iwata ◽  
Ryosuke Doijiri ◽  
Hiroshi Yamagami ◽  
Masafumi Morimoto ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine whether frequent premature atrial contractions (PAC) predict atrial fibrillation (AF) in cryptogenic stroke patients, we analyzed the association between frequent PACs in 24-h Holter electrocardiogram recording and AF detected by insertable cardiac monitoring (ICM). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a database of 66 consecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke who received ICM implantation between October 2016 and March 2018 at 5 stroke centers. We included the follow-up data until June 2018 in this analysis. We defined frequent PACs as the upper quartile of the 66 patients. We analyzed the association of frequent PACs with AF detected by ICM. Results: Frequent PACs were defined as >222 PACs per a 24-h period. The proportion of patients with newly detected AF by ICM was higher in patients with frequent PACs than those without (50% [8/16] vs. 22% [11/50], p < 0.05). Frequent PACs were associated with AF detection and time to the first AF after adjustment for CHADS2 score after index stroke, high plasma ­B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP; >100 pg/mL) or serum ­N-terminal pro-BNP levels (>300 pg/mL), and large left atrial diameter (≥45 mm). Conclusion: High frequency of PACs in cryptogenic stroke may be a strong predictor of AF detected by ICM.

Heart Rhythm ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. S62
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Reynolds ◽  
Candace L. Gunnarsson ◽  
Michael P. Ryan ◽  
Sarah Rosemas ◽  
Paul D. Ziegler ◽  
...  

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal krawczyk ◽  
Sebastián Fridman ◽  
Maria Bres Bullrich ◽  
Palak Shah ◽  
Juan C Vargas-Gonzalez ◽  
...  

Introduction: Approximately 25% of strokes are classified as cryptogenic (CS), while greater than 50% have an identifiable or ‘known’ etiology (KS). Several studies have demonstrated that prolonged cardiac monitoring (PCM) after cryptogenic stroke substantially increases the detection of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the yield of PCM in KS stroke is unknown. As a result, the majority of guidelines recommend restricting PCM to patients with cryptogenic stroke. If the detection of AF in KS is no different to cryptogenic stroke, it would suggest that this group too would similarly benefit from PCM, with the potential to impact therapeutic decisions (e.g. initiating anticoagulation). Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we compared AF detection by PCM (minimum of 48 hrs) between CS and KS patients without a previous diagnosis of AF. We developed a multivariate logistic regression model by including known and significant clinical, echocardiographic, and radiological factors known to be associated with the detection of AF. We reported results as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: We included 561 ischemic stroke patients, 376 with CS and 185 with KS. The median duration of PCM was 167h for CS and 48h for KS. AF was detected in 30 of 376 (8%) CS patients, and 20 of 185 (7.9%) KS patients. Age, history of thyroid disease, clinical presentation of dysarthria, wake-up stroke, and left atrial volume index on echocardiography were significantly associated with a new diagnosis of AF after stroke in the univariable analysis and were thus included in the logistic regression analysis. Additionally, duration of PCM was included in the multivariate model. After adjustment for potential confounders, AF detection by PCM was not significantly higher for CS than KS (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.25-3.32, P=0.94). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this is the first study directly comparing the incidence of AF between CS and KS as the pre-specified primary outcome. Our findings suggest that CS and KS patients have similar rates of AF detection by PCM. Future prospective research is required to confirm these findings and to determine the cost-effectiveness of PCM in non-cryptogenic stroke patients.


Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (18) ◽  
pp. e1892-e1899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadi Nahab ◽  
Vera Sharashidze ◽  
Michael Liu ◽  
Priyadharshi Rathakrishnan ◽  
Sleiman El Jamal ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that markers of coagulation and hemostatic activation (MOCHA) help identify causes of cryptogenic stroke, we obtained serum measurements on 132 patients and followed them up to identify causes of stroke.MethodsConsecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke who met embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) criteria from January 1, 2017, to October 31, 2018, underwent outpatient cardiac monitoring and the MOCHA profile (serum D-dimer, prothrombin fragment 1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, and fibrin monomer) obtained ≥2 weeks after the index stroke; abnormal MOCHA profile was defined as ≥2 elevated markers. Prespecified endpoints monitored during routine clinical visits included new atrial fibrillation (AF), malignancy, venous thromboembolism (VTE), or other defined hypercoagulable states (HS).ResultsOverall, 132 patients with ESUS (mean age 64 ± 15 years, 61% female, 51% nonwhite) met study criteria. During a median follow-up of 10 (interquartile range 7–14) months, AF, malignancy, VTE, or HS was identified in 31 (23%) patients; the 53 (40%) patients with ESUS with abnormal MOCHA were significantly more likely than patients with normal levels to have subsequent new diagnoses of malignancy (21% vs 0%, p < 0.001), VTE (9% vs 0%, p = 0.009), or HS (11% vs 0%, p = 0.004) but not AF (8% vs 9%, p = 0.79). The combination of 4 normal MOCHA and normal left atrial size (n = 30) had 100% sensitivity for ruling out the prespecified endpoints.ConclusionThe MOCHA profile identified patients with cryptogenic stroke more likely to have new malignancy, VTE, or HS during short-term follow-up and may be useful in direct evaluation for underlying causes of cryptogenic stroke.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Saberniak ◽  
L Skrebelyte-Strom ◽  
E.B Orstad ◽  
M.G Solberg ◽  
J.M Hilde ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Left atrial (LA) function by strain has shown to be promising to predict clinical atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with cryptogenic stroke/TIA. However, there is little knowledge, if this novel method may prospectively predict subclinical AF (SCAF) and moreover, if left atrial appendage (LAA) function by strain and mechanical dispersion may be more sensitive to improve prediction of SCAF. Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate if LA and LAA function by strain could improve the prediction of SCAF in patients at risk. Methods In this prospective study (mean follow-up 859±226 days), 185 patients with cryptogenic stroke/TIA, mean age 68±13 years, 33% female and no history of clinical AF or SCAF, were included. All participants underwent 2D and 3D transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography in sinus rhythm after index cryptogenic stroke/TIA (mean 5±3days). LAA and LA functions by phasic strain, including reservoir strain (Sr), conduit strain (Scd) and contraction strain (Sct) and mechanical dispersion of Sr were assessed. SCAF episodes were detected by cardiac monitoring during follow up (mean 257±273 days). Results LAA function by strain was decreased in those with SCAF (60/32% of all patients) compared to those without: Sr: 19.2±4.5% vs. 25.6±6.5% (p&lt;0.001), Scd: −11.0±3.1% vs. −14.4±4.5% (p&lt;0.001), Sct: −7.9±4.0% vs. −11.2±4% (p&lt;0.001), respectively, while mechanical dispersion by Sr strain was increased, 34±24ms vs. 26±20ms (p=0.02). However, LA function by strain and mechanical dispersion did not differ in patients with SCAF compared to patients without. By ROC analyses, LAA strain and mechanical dispersion were highly significant in prediction of SCAF. LAA reservoir strain showed the best AUC of 0.80 (95% CI 0.73–0.87) with a cut-off value of 22.2%, sensitivity of 80%, and specificity of 73%, p&lt;0.001. (Figure) Conclusions For the first time, we showed, that left atrial appendage function by strain and mechanical dispersion predicts SCAF, as opposed to left atrial function. Left atrial appendage function by strain may be useful in risk prediction in patients at considerable AF risk. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Department of Cardiology, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo/Lørenskog, Norway


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Santucci ◽  
Takashi Shimoyama ◽  
Ken Uchino

Introduction: Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings of premature atrial contraction and prolonged PR interval are associated with risk of onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in cryptogenic stroke. We sought to see if normal ECG and AF incidence is incompletely understood. Methods: From a prospective single-hospital stroke registry from 2018, we identified ischemic stroke patients who had ECG done on admission for review. We excluded patients with AF on admission ECG, history of AF, and implanted device with cardiac monitoring capability. Normal ECG was interpreted based on the standardized reporting guidelines for ECG studies evaluating risk stratification of emergency department patients. Stroke subtype was diagnosed according to the TOAST classification: large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), small vessel occlusion (SVO), cardioembolism, others/undetermined and embolic stoke of undetermined source (ESUS) criteria. We compared the incidence of newly diagnosed AF during hospitalization and from outpatient cardiac event monitoring between normal and abnormal ECG. Results: Of the 558 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients, we excluded 135 with AF on admission ECG or history of AF and 9 with implanted devices. Of the remaining 414 patients that were included in the study, ESUS (31.2%) was the most frequent stroke subtype, followed by LAA (30.0%), SVO (14.0%), others/undetermined (15.7%), and cardioembolism (9.2%). Normal ECG was observed in 125 patients (30.2%). Cardioembolic subtype was less frequent in the normal versus abnormal ECG group (1.6% vs. 12.5%, p<0.001). New AF was detected in 17/414 patients (4.1%) during hospitalization. Of these 17 patients, none had normal ECG (0/125) and all had abnormal ECG (17/289, 5.9%) (p=0.002). After discharge, of 111 patients undergoing 4-week outpatient cardiac monitoring, new AF was detected in 16 (14.4%). Of these 16 patients, only 1 had a normal ECG (1/35, 2.9%) while 15 had abnormal ECG (15/76, 19.7%) (p=0.02). Conclusions: Normal ECG at admission for acute ischemic stroke is associated with low likelihood of detection of new atrial fibrillation in either the inpatient or outpatient setting.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesh Asaithambi ◽  
Jane E Monita ◽  
Sandra K Hanson

Background: The use of insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) has increased the rate of detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) among cryptogenic stroke (CS) patients. We describe a single-center experience for AF detection among CS patients receiving ICMs upon discharge after the index stroke event and attempt to identify predictors for early AF detection. Methods: From April 2014 to April 2016, patients receiving ICMs upon discharge for CS who underwent >90 days of monitoring were reviewed. Time from ICM placement to AF detection, chronic underlying medical illnesses, presence of left atrial dilatation (LAD) on echocardiography, and PR interval on admission EKG were assessed as predictors of early AF detection. Results: A total of 114 patients met inclusion criteria and were followed for a median of 415 [268, 557] days. Among these 32 patients (28.1%) were found to have AF at a median of 53 [5, 132] days from ICM placement. Patients with AF detected <30 days from ICM placement had lower rates of hyperlipidemia (35.7% vs 88.9%, p=0.003) and higher rates of hypertension (100% vs 66.7%, p=0.02), tobaccoism (85.7% vs 33.3%, p=0.005), LAD (64.3% vs 16.7%, p=0.01), and prolonged PR interval (195.3±43.2 ms vs 170.3±23.4 ms, p=0.04) compared to patients with AF detected >30 days from ICM placement. Conclusion: More than one-quarter of CS patients monitored for >90 days with an ICM were found to have previously undiagnosed AF. The majority of patients with AF detected were identified >30 days after their index CS event. Among patients in whom AF was ultimately detected by the ICM, AF may be identified earlier among patients with hypertension and tobaccoism in combination with LAD and prolonged PR interval. Prospective studies are needed to better identify predictors for early AF among the broader population of all CS patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryosuke Doijiri ◽  
Yuji Ueno ◽  
Muneaki Kikuno ◽  
Takahiro Shimizu ◽  
Yohei Tateishi ◽  
...  

AbstractThe detection of underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) has become increasingly possible by insertable cardiac monitoring (ICM). During hospitalization for cryptogenic stroke, factors related to the early and late development of AF have not been studied. CHALLENGE ESUS/CS is a multicenter registry of cryptogenic stroke patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram, continuous cardiac monitoring, and 24-h Holter electrocardiogram were all used for the detection of AF. Early and late detection of AF was determined with an allocation ratio of 1:1 among patients with AF. A total of 677 patients (68.7 ± 12.8 years; 455 men) were enrolled, and 64 patients developed AF during hospitalization. Four days after admission was identified as the approximate median day to classify early and late phases to detect AF: ≤ 4 days, 37 patients; > 4 days, 27 patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) (OR 5.91; 95% CI 2.19–15.97; p < 0.001) was associated with AF ≤ 4 days, whereas a large infarction > 3 cm in diameter (OR 3.28; 95% CI 1.35–7.97; p = 0.009) was associated with AF > 4 days. SEC and large infarctions were important predictors of in-hospital AF detection, particularly in the early and late stages, respectively; thus, they could serve as indications for recommending ICM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Andrzej Kułach ◽  
Milena Dewerenda ◽  
Michał Majewski ◽  
Anetta Lasek-Bal ◽  
Zbigniew Gąsior

Introduction: Silent atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cause of cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CIS). The 24-h-Holter is insufficient to reveal an occult arrhythmic cause of stroke and the strategy to select the patients for long-term monitoring is missing. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate 7-day-Holter monitoring to identify cases with the arrhythmic cause of stroke in CIS patients in whom 24-h-Holter was free from arrhythmia, and to assess the relation between supraventricular (SV) runs in baseline Holter and the incidence of AF in a 3-year follow-up period. Methods: 78 patients (aged 60 ± 9 years, 45 males) with CIS and no arrhythmic findings in 24-h-Holter were enrolled. All patients had 7-day-Holter monitoring after stroke and were followed up for 36 months, and then 7-day Holter was repeated. We assessed SV runs (≥5 QRS) in the initial 7-day Holter and analyzed the relation of the findings with clinical characteristics of novel AF episodes revealed early after stroke and during a 3-year follow-up. Results: Baseline 7-day-Holter revealed SV runs in 36% of patients and AF in 9% of cases. During a 3-year follow-up, 8 additional cases were confirmed, both in standard care and in repeated Holter (a total of 19% of AF cases). There was no difference with regard to CHADS2VASc score (3.6 ± 1.1 vs. 3.4 ± 1.5; p = NS) and left atrium parameters between patients with SV runs and the non-arrhythmic group. Patients with SV runs had a higher incidence of AF both after stroke and in a 3-year follow-up (46% vs. 4%, RR 11.6, p < 0.001). In 8 cases, patent foramen ovale was detected during follow-up. Conclusions: A strategy of baseline 7-day-Holter monitoring after stroke allows for disclosing SV runs in every third case and AF in 9% of stroke survivors. Patients with SV runs have a higher incidence of AF (RR 11.6, p < 0.001) and should be considered for extended continuous ECG monitoring.


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