Left Atrial Size and Ischemic Events after Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 619-624
Author(s):  
Keisuke Tokunaga ◽  
Masatoshi Koga ◽  
Sohei Yoshimura ◽  
Yasushi Okada ◽  
Hiroshi Yamagami ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The present study aimed to clarify the association between left atrial (LA) size and ischemic events after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Acute ischemic stroke or TIA patients with NVAF were enrolled. LA size was classified into normal LA size, mild LA enlargement (LAE), moderate LAE, and severe LAE. The ischemic event was defined as ischemic stroke, TIA, carotid endarterectomy, carotid artery stenting, acute coronary syndrome or percutaneous coronary intervention, systemic embolism, aortic aneurysm rupture or dissection, peripheral artery disease requiring hospitalization, or venous thromboembolism. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 1,043 patients (mean age, 78 years; 450 women) including 1,002 ischemic stroke and 41 TIA were analyzed. Of these, 351 patients (34%) had normal LA size, 298 (29%) had mild LAE, 198 (19%) had moderate LAE, and the remaining 196 (19%) had severe LAE. The median follow-up duration was 2.0 years (interquartile range, 0.9–2.1). During follow-up, 117 patients (11%) developed at least one ischemic event. The incidence rate of total ischemic events increased with increasing LA size. Severe LAE was independently associated with increased risk of ischemic events compared with normal LA size (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–3.00). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Severe LAE was associated with increased risk of ischemic events after ischemic stroke or TIA in patients with NVAF.

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 76-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawna Cutting ◽  
Elizabeth Regan ◽  
Vivien H. Lee ◽  
Shyam Prabhakaran

Background and Purpose: Following transient ischemic attack (TIA), there is increased risk for ischemic stroke. The American Heart Association recommends admission of patients with ABCD2 scores ≥3 for observation, rapid performance of diagnostic tests, and potential acute intervention. We aimed to determine if there is a relationship between ABCD2 scores, in-hospital ischemic events, and in-hospital treatments after TIA admission. Methods: We reviewed consecutive patients admitted between 2006 and 2011 following a TIA, defined as transient focal neurological symptoms attributed to a specific vascular distribution and lasting <24 h. Three interventions were prespecified: anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, carotid or intracranial revascularization, and intravenous or intra-arterial reperfusion therapies. We compared rates of in-hospital recurrent TIA or ischemic stroke and the receipt of interventions among patients with low (<3) versus high (≥3) ABCD2 scores. Results: Of 249 patients, 11 patients (4.4%) had recurrent TIAs or strokes during their stay (8 TIAs, 3 strokes). All 11 had ABCD2 scores ≥3, and no neurological events occurred in patients with lower scores (5.1 vs. 0%; p = 0.37). Twelve patients (4.8%) underwent revascularization for large artery stenosis, 16 (6.4%) were started on anticoagulants, and no patient received intravenous or intra-arterial reperfusion therapy. The ABCD2 score was not associated with anticoagulation (p = 0.59) or revascularization (p = 0.20). Conclusions: Higher ABCD2 scores may predict early ischemic events after TIA but do not predict the need for intervention. Outpatient evaluation for those with scores <3 would potentially have delayed revascularization or anticoagulant treatment in nearly one-fifth of ‘low-risk' patients.


Circulation ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 140 (22) ◽  
pp. 1834-1850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renate B. Schnabel ◽  
Karl Georg Haeusler ◽  
Jeffrey S. Healey ◽  
Ben Freedman ◽  
Giuseppe Boriani ◽  
...  

Cardiac thromboembolism attributed to atrial fibrillation (AF) is responsible for up to one-third of ischemic strokes. Stroke may be the first manifestation of previously undetected AF. Given the efficacy of oral anticoagulants in preventing AF-related ischemic strokes, strategies of searching for AF after a stroke using ECG monitoring followed by oral anticoagulation (OAC) treatment have been proposed to prevent recurrent cardioembolic strokes. This white paper by experts from the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration summarizes existing evidence and knowledge gaps on searching for AF after a stroke by using ECG monitoring. New AF can be detected by routine plus intensive ECG monitoring in approximately one-quarter of patients with ischemic stroke. It may be causal, a bystander, or neurogenically induced by the stroke. AF after a stroke is a risk factor for thromboembolism and a strong marker for atrial myopathy. After acute ischemic stroke, patients should undergo 72 hours of electrocardiographic monitoring to detect AF. The diagnosis requires an ECG of sufficient quality for confirmation by a health professional with ECG rhythm expertise. AF detection rate is a function of monitoring duration and quality of analysis, AF episode definition, interval from stroke to monitoring commencement, and patient characteristics including old age, certain ECG alterations, and stroke type. Markers of atrial myopathy (eg, imaging, atrial ectopy, natriuretic peptides) may increase AF yield from monitoring and could be used to guide patient selection for more intensive/prolonged poststroke ECG monitoring. Atrial myopathy without detected AF is not currently sufficient to initiate OAC. The concept of embolic stroke of unknown source is not proven to identify patients who have had a stroke benefitting from empiric OAC treatment. However, some embolic stroke of unknown source subgroups (eg, advanced age, atrial enlargement) might benefit more from non–vitamin K-dependent OAC therapy than aspirin. Fulfilling embolic stroke of unknown source criteria is an indication neither for empiric non–vitamin K-dependent OAC treatment nor for withholding prolonged ECG monitoring for AF. Clinically diagnosed AF after a stroke or a transient ischemic attack is associated with significantly increased risk of recurrent stroke or systemic embolism, in particular, with additional stroke risk factors, and requires OAC rather than antiplatelet therapy. The minimum subclinical AF duration required on ECG monitoring poststroke/transient ischemic attack to recommend OAC therapy is debated.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuo Minematsu ◽  
Takanori Ikeda ◽  
Satoshi Ogawa ◽  
Takanari Kitazono ◽  
Jyoji Nakagawara ◽  
...  

Introduction: Prior stroke is a risk factor for stroke and bleeding during anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although rivaroxaban is widely prescribed to reduce their risk of stroke in patients with nonvalvular AF (NVAF), the real-world evidence on rivaroxaban treatment is limited. We aimed to examine the outcomes of rivaroxaban treatment in NVAF patients with prior ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) by using the data of the Xarelto Post-Authorization Safety and Effectiveness Study in Japanese ­Patients with AF, a prospective, single-arm, observational study. Methods: The clinical outcomes of 9,578 patients who completed the 1-year follow-up were evaluated. Safety and effectiveness outcomes were compared between patients with and without prior ischemic stroke/TIA. Results: Among the patients, 2,153 (22.5%) had prior ischemic stroke/TIA. They were significantly older and had lower body weight, lower creatinine clearance, higher CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and modified HAS-BLED scores as compared to those without prior ischemic stroke/TIA. Any bleeding (9.1 vs. 7.2 events per 100 patient-years), major bleeding (2.3 vs. 1.6 events per 100 patient-years), and stroke/non-central nervous system systemic embolism/myocardial infarction (3.4 vs. 1.3 events per 100 patient-years) were more frequent in patients with prior ischemic stroke/TIA. Stepwise regression analysis suggested that body weight of ≤50 kg and diabetes mellitus were predictive of major bleeding in patients with prior ischemic stroke/TIA. Conclusions: Safety and effectiveness event rates were higher in patients with prior ischemic stroke/TIA than those without. This might be explained by differences in several risk profiles including age, body weight, renal function, and risk scores such as CHADS2 between the groups. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01582737.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-99
Author(s):  
Houwei Du ◽  
Duncan Wilson ◽  
Gareth Ambler ◽  
Gargi Banerjee ◽  
Clare Shakeshaft ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: The causes of recurrent ischemic stroke despite anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation are uncertain but might include small vessel occlusion. We investigated whether magnetic resonance imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) are associated with ischemic stroke risk during follow-up in patients anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation after recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective multicenter inception cohort study of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation (CROMIS-2 [Clinical Relevance of Microbleeds in Stroke Study]). We rated markers of SVD on baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging: basal ganglia perivascular spaces (number ≥11); cerebral microbleeds (number ≥1); lacunes (number ≥1); and white matter hyperintensities (periventricular Fazekas grade 3 or deep white matter Fazekas grade ≥2). We investigated the associations of SVD presence (defined as presence of ≥1 SVD marker) and severity (composite SVD score) with the risk of ischemic stroke during follow-up using a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for congestive heart failure, hypertension, age >75, diabetes, stroke, vascular disease, age 65–74, female score. Results: We included 1419 patients (mean age: 75.8 years [SD, 10.4]; 42.1% female). The ischemic stroke rate during follow-up in patients with any SVD was 2.20 per 100-patient years (95% CI, 1.60–3.02), compared with 0.98 per 100 patient-years (95% CI, 0.59–1.62) in those without SVD ( P =0.008). After adjusting for congestive heart failure, hypertension, age >75, diabetes, stroke, vascular disease, age 65–74, female score, SVD presence remained significantly associated with ischemic stroke during follow-up (hazard ratio, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.01–3.53]; P =0.046); the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke increased with SVD score (hazard ratio per point increase, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.04–1.70]; P =0.023). Conclusions: In patients anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, magnetic resonance imaging markers of SVD are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke during follow-up; improved stroke prevention treatments are required in this population. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02513316.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria C Zurru ◽  
LAURA BRESCACIN ◽  
Claudia Alonzo ◽  
Victor Villarroel ◽  
Gabriela Orzuza ◽  
...  

Background and purpose: detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) after ischemic stroke is crucial, because anticoagulation is mandatory in order to decrease recurrence risk. However, there is no agreement regarding the optimal method to detect paroxysmal AF after the event. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors for delayed detection of AF after ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods: PROTEGE-ACV is a multidisciplinary stroke quality improvement program coordinated by internists and neurologists within a Buenos Aires healthcare system aimed to optimize secondary stroke preventive care after IS or TIA. Demographic data, vascular risk factors profile control and management were evaluated at the inclusion visit, and IS was categorized according to TOAST classification. Results: From 01/2007 to 04 /2012, 872 ischemic stroke patients were included; mean age was 75 ± 10 years-old and 55% were female. Twenty two percent were cardioembolic and 7% undetermined with more than one mechanism with AF as one of them; 14% of patients had history of AF or diagnosis at hospitalization. Incident AF was diagnosed in 101 (21%) of 473 patients with two or more years of follow-up.. Diagnosis of AF was associated with age older than 80 years (OR 1.96 95% CI 1.25-3), history of hypertension (OR 2.4 95% CI 1.25-4.8), chronic renal failure (OR 2.65 95% CI 1.54-4.55) and stroke recurrence (OR 2.96 95% CI 1.66-5.26). Conclusion: delayed diagnosis of AF was common in this cohort of patients with IS or TIA. Identification of risk factors is important in order to perform a close follow-up of these patients and to determine the best method for this purpose, in order to reduce recurrence risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Tian ◽  
Jing Jing ◽  
Huijuan Wang ◽  
Anxin Wang ◽  
Yijun Zhang ◽  
...  

Background: Polyvascular disease (PolyVD) and interleukin (IL)-6 are associated with poor outcomes in patients with stroke respectively. However, whether combined PolyVD and elevated IL-6 levels would increase the risk of poor outcomes of stroke patients is yet unclear.Methods: Data were obtained from the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III). PolyVD was defined as acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) with coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or peripheral artery disease (PAD). Patients were divided into four groups according to the combination of vascular beds number (non-PolyVD or PolyVD) and IL-6 levels (IL-6 &lt; 2.64 pg/mL or IL-6 ≥ 2.64 pg/mL). The primary outcome was a recurrent stroke at 1-year follow-up. Cox proportional hazard models were employed to identify the association of the combined effect of PolyVD and IL-6 with the prognosis of patients.Results: A total of 10,773 patients with IL-6 levels and 1-year follow-up were included. The cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke was 9.87% during the 1-year follow-up. Compared to non-PolyVD and IL-6&lt;2.64 pg/mL patients, patients had non-PolyVD with IL-6 ≥ 2.64 pg/mL (HR 1.245 95%CI 1.072–1.446; P &lt; 0.001) and PolyVD with IL-6 &lt;2.64 pg/mL (HR 1.251 95%CI 1.002–1.563; P = 0.04) were associated with an increased risk of recurrent stroke during 1-year follow-up. Likewise, patients with PolyVD and IL-6 ≥ 2.64 pg/mL (HR 1.290; 95% CI 1.058–1.572; P = 0.01) had the highest risk of recurrent stroke at 1-year follow-up among groups.Conclusion: PolyVD and elevated IL-6 levels are both associated with poor outcomes in patients with AIS or TIA. Moreover, the combination of them increases the efficiency of stroke risk stratification compared with when used alone. More attention and intensive treatment should be given to those patients with both PolyVD and elevated IL-6 levels.


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