Abstract 13293: Detection of Atrial Fibrillation by Implantable Loop Recorders Following Cryptogenic Stroke: A Retrospective Study of Predictive Factors and Outcomes

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Samaan ◽  
Beshoy Nazeer ◽  
Heidi Stoute ◽  
Wei Zhao ◽  
Susanna Szpunar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Embolic Stroke ◽  
Stroke Recurrence ◽  
Secondary Stroke Prevention ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Implantable Loop Recorders

Introduction: Cryptogenic strokes account for up to 40% of ischemic strokes. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a known cause of ischemic stroke. Current data shows that occult AF can be detected by implantable devices at higher rates than conventional cardiac rhythm monitoring. There are, however, limited data available on risk factors and outcomes associated with AF detection by implantable loop recorders (ILRs). Objective: To investigate the risk factors and outcomes associated with occult AF detected by ILR in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients admitted with cryptogenic stroke at Ascension St John Hospital and Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Michigan who had ILRs placed from 1/1/2016 to 1/31/2020. Data were collected on demographics, comorbidities, treatment and outcomes. AF detection was defined as continuous AF for 30 seconds. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test, the χ2 test and logistic regression. Results: We reviewed 172 patients, 52.3% male, 56.4% white, mean age 62.7 ± 13.6 years. The incidence of AF detection by ILR was 14% (24/172) over a mean follow-up of 12.75 ± 10.71 months. The mean duration of monitoring prior to AF detection was 4.5 months (range:1 day to 14 months). The median duration of AF was 6 minutes (range: 37.2 seconds to 11.3 hours). From univariable analysis, older age (p=0.03), male sex (p=0.09), embolic stroke pattern on imaging (p=0.06), and lack of AF symptoms (p=0.001) were associated with AF detection by ILR. From multivariable analysis, patients with detected AF were more likely to be older (OR=1.04, p=0.04), male (OR=3.6, p=0.03), asymptomatic (OR=6.3, p=0.01), and have an embolic stroke pattern on imaging (OR=3.3, p=0.04). 95.7% of patients with confirmed AF were started on anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention. There was no difference in the incidence of stroke post-hospitalization between those with AF detection and those without (16% vs. 16.4%, p=0.96). Conclusions: In patients with cryptogenic stroke, age, gender, stroke pattern, and lack of AF symptoms are independent predictors of occult AF detection by ILR. Most patients with confirmed AF were started on anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention and had low stroke recurrence rates.

scholarly journals Secondary Stroke Prevention Following Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source in the Absence of Documented Atrial Fibrillation: A Clinical Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irum D. Kotadia ◽  
Iain Sim ◽  
Rahul Mukherjee ◽  
Daniel O’Hare ◽  
Amedeo Chiribiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Embolic Stroke ◽  
Stroke Recurrence ◽  
Secondary Stroke Prevention ◽  
Unknown Source ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Approximately one‐third of ischemic strokes are classified as cryptogenic strokes. The risk of stroke recurrence in these patients is significantly elevated with up to one‐third of patients with cryptogenic stroke experiencing a further stroke within 10 years. While anticoagulation is the mainstay of treatment for secondary stroke prevention in the context of documented atrial fibrillation (AF), it is estimated that up to 25% of patients with cryptogenic stroke have undiagnosed AF. Furthermore, the historical acceptance of a causal relationship between AF and stroke has recently come under scrutiny, with evidence to suggest that embolic stroke risk may be elevated even in the absence of documented atrial fibrillation attributable to the presence of electrical and structural changes constituting an atrial cardiomyopathy. More recently, the term embolic stroke of unknown source has garnered increasing interest as a subset of patients with cryptogenic stroke in whom a minimum set of diagnostic investigations has been performed, and a nonlacunar infarct highly suspicious of embolic etiology is suspected but in the absence of an identifiable secondary cause of stroke. The ongoing ARCADIA (Atrial Cardiopathy and Antithrombotic Drugs in Prevention After Cryptogenic Stroke) randomized trial and ATTICUS (Apixiban for Treatment of Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source) study seek to further define this novel term. This review summarizes the relationship between AF, embolic stroke, and atrial cardiomyopathy and provides an overview of the clinical relevance of cardiac imaging, electrocardiographic, and serum biomarkers in the assessment of AF and secondary stroke risk. The implications of these findings on therapeutic considerations is considered and gaps in the literature identified as areas for future study in risk stratifying this cohort of patients.

Detection of atrial fibrillation in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source by prolonged monitoring with implantable loop recorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (10) ◽  
pp. 1962-1969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Israel ◽  
Alkisti Kitsiou ◽  
Malik Kalyani ◽  
Sameera Deelawar ◽  
Lucy Ekosso Ejangue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Tomography ◽  
Embolic Stroke ◽  
Secondary Stroke Prevention ◽  
Detection Algorithms ◽  
Therapeutic Consequences ◽  
Cerebral Microangiopathy ◽  
Implantable Loop Recorders ◽  
Work Up

SummaryRecently, the clinical entity embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) has been defined for patients with ischemic strokes, where neither a cardioembolic nor a non-cardiac source can be detected. These patients may suffer from asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), terminating spontaneously and thus eluding detection. Implantable loop recorders (ILR) with automatic AF detection algorithms can detect short-lasting, subclinical AF. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess and predict AF detection in patients with ESUS using ILR with daily remote interrogation. Patients with acute ESUS received an ILR, were seen every 6 months and additionally interrogated their ILR daily using remote monitoring. The incidence of AF detection was assessed and parameters which might predict AF detection (clinical and from magnetic resonance tomography) were analysed. ILR implantation was performed in 123 patients on average 20 days after stroke. During a mean follow-up of 12.7±5.5 months, AF was documented and manually confirmed in 29 of 123 patients (23.6%). First AF detection occurred on average after 3.6±3.4 months of monitoring. Patients with AF were on average older, had a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score and more often cerebral microangiopathy. In conclusion, AF can be documented in approximately 25% of patients with the diagnosis of ESUS after careful work-up within a year of monitoring by an ILR and daily remote interrogation. This had important therapeutic consequences (initiation of anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention) in these patients.

scholarly journals Residual Risk and Its Risk Factors for Ischemic Stroke with Adherence to Guideline-Based Secondary Stroke Prevention

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60
Author(s):  
Yuesong Pan ◽  
Zixiao Li ◽  
Jiejie Li ◽  
Aoming Jin ◽  
Jinxi Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Secondary Prevention ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Recurrent Stroke ◽  
Antihypertensive Agents ◽  
Residual Risk ◽  
Stroke Recurrence ◽  
Secondary Stroke Prevention

Background and Purpose Despite administration of evidence-based therapies, residual risk of stroke recurrence persists. This study aimed to evaluate the residual risk of recurrent stroke in acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) with adherence to guideline-based secondary stroke prevention and identify the risk factors of the residual risk.Methods Patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA within 7 hours were enrolled from 169 hospitals in Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III) in China. Adherence to guideline-based secondary stroke prevention was defined as persistently receiving all of the five secondary prevention medications (antithrombotic, antidiabetic and antihypertensive agents, statin and anticoagulants) during hospitalization, at discharge, at 3, 6, and 12 months if eligible. The primary outcome was a new stroke at 12 months.Results Among 9,022 included patients (median age 63.0 years and 31.7% female), 3,146 (34.9%) were identified as adherence to guideline-based secondary prevention. Of all, 864 (9.6%) patients had recurrent stroke at 12 months, and the residual risk in patients with adherence to guidelinebased secondary prevention was 8.3%. Compared with those without adherence, patients with adherence to guideline-based secondary prevention had lower rate of recurrent stroke (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.74 to 0.99; P=0.04) at 12 months. Female, history of stroke, interleukin-6 ≥5.63 ng/L, and relevant intracranial artery stenosis were independent risk factors of the residual risk.Conclusions There was still a substantial residual risk of 12-month recurrent stroke even in patients with persistent adherence to guideline-based secondary stroke prevention. Future research should focus on efforts to reduce the residual risk.

scholarly journals Three year incidence and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes among a large, real-world population of cryptogenic stroke patients with insertable cardiac monitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.D Ziegler ◽  
J.D Rogers ◽  
M Richards ◽  
A.J Nichols ◽  
S.W Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Real World ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Detection Rate ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
World Population ◽  
Median Frequency ◽  
Secondary Stroke Prevention

Abstract Background/Introduction The primary goal of monitoring for atrial fibrillation (AF) after cryptogenic stroke (CS) is secondary stroke prevention. Therefore, long-term monitoring of CS patients with insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) is likely important to ensure appropriate secondary stroke prevention therapy, regardless of when AF is detected after the index event. However, long-term data on the incidence and duration of AF from real-world populations are sparse. Purpose To investigate the long-term incidence and duration of AF episodes in real-world clinical practice among a large population of patients with ICMs placed for AF detection following CS. Methods We included patients from a large device manufacturer's database who received an ICM for the purpose of AF detection following CS and were monitored for up to 3 years. All detected AF episodes (≥2 minutes) were adjudicated. We quantified the AF detection rate for various episode duration thresholds using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, analyzed the maximum duration of AF episodes, and measured the time to initial AF detection. Results A total of 1247 patients (65.3±13.0 years, 53% male) were included and followed for 763±362 days. AF episodes (n=5456) were detected in 257 patients, resulting in a median frequency of 5 episodes [IQR 2–19] per patient. At 3 years, the AF detection rate for episodes ≥2 minutes was 24.2%. The AF detection rates at 3 years for episodes ≥6 minutes, ≥30 minutes, and ≥1 hour were 22.4%, 20.6%, and 19.1%, respectively. The median duration of the longest detected AF episode was 4.4 [IQR 1.2–13.9] hours and the median time to AF detection was 129 [IQR 45–354] days. Conclusion AF episodes were detected via ICMs in approximately one-quarter of CS patients within 3 years of follow-up. More than 75% of patients with AF detected had episodes lasting ≥1 hour and half had episodes lasting ≥4 hours. Detection of the first AF episode typically occurred beyond the range of conventional ambulatory monitors. Long-term surveillance of CS patients is likely important given the appreciable incidence, frequency, and duration of these AF episodes. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Cryptogenic Stroke and Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Risk Factors and Approaches for Detection of Atrial Fibrillation

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idaliya Rakhimova ◽  
Yuliya Semenova ◽  
Talgat Khaibullin ◽  
Anargul Kuanysheva ◽  
Vitalii Kovalchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Antiplatelet Agents ◽  
Embolic Stroke ◽  
Optimal Method ◽  
Undetermined Etiology

Background: Stroke is a problem worldwide because of its high mortality and disability rates. Almost 90% of strokes are ischemic, and more than half of the deaths are caused by an ischemic stroke. Most risk factors for stroke are manageable so that it can be avoided with proper prevention. Despite the success in determining the causes of stroke in recent years, selectively, the "culprit" causing stroke remains unsolved. In such cases, a diagnosis of undetermined etiology (cryptogenic stroke) or embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) is generated, resulting the prevention of a recurrent cerebrovascular occurrence impossible. Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be a cause of stroke by causing blood clots in the chambers of the heart. Purpose: The aim was to determine the optimal method of heart rate monitoring in patients with ischemic stroke, as methods and approaches for detecting AF are very diverse, but there is still no single opinion, which would be universal. Procedures: In our review, we consider epidemiology, risk factors for the stroke of undetermined etiology, as well as analytical methods for detecting heart rhythm disturbances in this category of patients. Findings: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected by thorough monitoring of heart rate of patients with cryptogenic stroke and ESUS can be diagnosed in up to 46% of patients. Conclusion. After AF detection, consideration should be given to prescribing anticoagulants, instead of antiplatelet agents, for the secondary prevention of stroke.

Cilostazol for Secondary Stroke Prevention: History, Evidence, Limitations, and Possibilities

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam de Havenon ◽  
Kevin N. Sheth ◽  
Tracy E. Madsen ◽  
Karen C. Johnston ◽  
Tanya N. Turan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Plasma Lipids ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
European Medicines Agency ◽  
Stroke Recurrence ◽  
Drug Discontinuation ◽  
Secondary Stroke Prevention ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Phosphodiesterase Iii Inhibitor

Cilostazol is a PDE3 (phosphodiesterase III) inhibitor with a long track record of safety that is Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency approved for the treatment of claudication in patients with peripheral arterial disease. In addition, cilostazol has been approved for secondary stroke prevention in several Asian countries based on trials that have demonstrated a reduction in stroke recurrence among patients with noncardioembolic stroke. The onset of benefit appears after 60 to 90 days of treatment, which is consistent with cilostazol’s pleiotropic effects on platelet aggregation, vascular remodeling, blood flow, and plasma lipids. Cilostazol appears safe and does not increase the risk of major bleeding when given alone or in combination with aspirin or clopidogrel. Adverse effects such as headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, and palpitations, however, contributed to a 6% increase in drug discontinuation among patients randomized to cilostazol in a large secondary stroke prevention trial (CSPS.com [Cilostazol Stroke Prevention Study for Antiplatelet Combination]). Due to limitations of prior trials, such as open-label design, premature trial termination, large loss to follow-up, lack of functional or cognitive outcome data, and exclusive enrollment in Asia, the existing trials have not led to a change in clinical practice or guidelines in Western countries. These limitations could be addressed by a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial conducted in a broader population. If positive, it would increase the evidence in support of long-term treatment with cilostazol for secondary prevention in the millions of patients worldwide who have experienced a noncardioembolic ischemic stroke.

Abstract WP232: Biomarkers of Atrial Cardiopathy and Atrial Fibrillation Detection on Mobile Continuous Outpatient Telemetry After Cryptogenic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Sebasigari ◽  
Alexander Merkler ◽  
Guo Yang ◽  
Benjamin Kummer ◽  
Gino Gialdini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Embolic Stroke ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Left Atrial Diameter ◽  
New Diagnosis ◽  
Rhythm Monitoring

Background: In population-based studies, biomarkers of atrial dysfunction or “cardiopathy” have been shown to be associated with embolic stroke risk. However, it is unclear if this risk is mediated by undiagnosed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF). We aim to determine whether atrial cardiopathy biomarkers predict atrial fibrillation on continuous heart-rhythm monitoring after embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study including all patients who met consensus criteria for ESUS and who underwent 30 days of ambulatory heart-rhythm monitoring looking for AF between Jan 1 st , 2013 and Dec 31 st , 2015. We reviewed medical records for clinical, radiographic, and cardiac variables. The primary outcome was new diagnosis of AF detected during heart-rhythm monitoring. The primary predictors were atrial biomarkers: left atrial diameter on echocardiography, P-wave terminal force in ECG lead V1 , and PR interval on ECG. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between atrial biomarkers and AF detection. Results: Among 196 eligible patients, 23 (11.7%) were diagnosed with AF. In unadjusted analyses, patients with AF were older (72.4 vs. 61.4 years, p < 0.001) and had larger left atrial diameter (39.2 vs. 35.7 mm, p = 0.03). In a multivariable model including variables significant on univariate analyses, the only predictor of AF was age ≥ 60 years (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.06-8.5; p = 0.04). Atrial biomarkers were not associated with AF detection. Conclusion: Atrial biomarkers were not associated with AF after ESUS. This suggests that previously reported associations between these markers and stroke may reflect independent cardiac pathways leading to stroke. Prospective studies are needed to investigate these mechanisms and study anticoagulation versus antiplatelet treatment for secondary stroke prevention in patients with ESUS and atrial cardiopathy.

Abstract 81: Translesional Pressure Gradient Alters the Relationship Between Blood Pressure and Stroke Recurrence in Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueyan Feng ◽  
Ka Lung Chan ◽  
Jill Abrigo ◽  
Linda Lan ◽  
Yannie Soo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Stroke Recurrence ◽  
Secondary Stroke Prevention ◽  
Cfd Models ◽  
Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: Patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (sICAS) have a high risk of stroke recurrence. There is debate over an optimal blood pressure (BP) lowering target in secondary stroke prevention in such patients, when some factors (e.g., impaired cerebral perfusion) may alter the relationship between BP and risk of stroke recurrence. In this study, we investigated whether translesional pressure gradient across sICAS lesions would also alter such relationship. Methods: We recruited patients with sICAS (50-99% stenosis) confirmed in CT angiography (CTA). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were built based on CTA to simulate blood flow across sICAS and calculate the translesional pressure ratio (PR, the ratio of pressures distal and proximal to a lesion). PR ≤ median was defined as low PR, indicating larger translesional pressure gradient and hence restricted downstream perfusion. The primary outcome was recurrent ischemic stroke in the same territory in 1 year. We investigated the interaction of PR and mean systolic BP (SBP) during follow-up in determining the risk of the primary outcome. Results: Among 157 patients, the median PR was 0.93. Multivariate Cox regression revealed significant PR-SBP interaction on the primary outcome (p=0.025): in patients with normal PR, the risk of primary outcome significantly decreased with lower SBP during follow-up (for 10 mmHg decrement: HR 0.46; p=0.018); however, in those with low PR, mean SBP ≤130 mmHg was associated with significantly increased risk of primary outcome, compared with 130<SBP<150mmHg (HR 5.08; p=0.043) (Figure). Conclusion: Intensive BP lowering may increase the risk of stroke recurrence in sICAS patients with a large translesional pressure gradient, warranting further investigation. PR by CFD models may yield a promising indicator to differentiate sICAS patients for different BP management strategies for better secondary stroke prevention.

Abstract 13915: Atrial Fibrillation Begets Atrial Fibrillation in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients: Results from the Crystal-AF Trial

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rod S Passman ◽  
Jodi L Koehler ◽  
Paul D Ziegler
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Secondary Stroke Prevention ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Cardiac Monitor ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Episode Duration ◽  
Duration Information ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insertable Cardiac Monitor

Introduction: Initial episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF) detected following a cryptogenic stroke (CS) may be brief in duration and the clinical relevance of such episodes is uncertain. Hypothesis: We investigated whether an initial brief episode of AF was predictive of subsequent long duration AF episodes in CS patients (pts) with an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). Methods: CS pts (n=208, age 61.6±11.3 years, 66% male) randomized to the ICM arm of the CRYSTAL-AF study and inserted with a device (Reveal® XT) were followed for 21±9 months. AF episodes (>30 seconds) were independently adjudicated and the first adjudicated AF episode was classified as brief (<1 hour) or long (≥1 hour). The incidence of subsequent long duration AF episodes among pts with an initially brief episode was computed. The impact of episode duration on prescription of oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy was also assessed. Results: Among 36 pts with an adjudicated AF episode for which duration information was available, the initial episode was classified as brief in 18 (50%) pts and long in 18 (50%) pts. Among those with initially brief episodes, 10 (56%) experienced only subsequent brief episodes while 8 (44%) went on to experience at least one long AF episode. The median time between the initial brief episode and first long AF episode was 75 days [interquartile range: 27-624 days]. OAC was prescribed in 7/10 pts (70%) with only brief AF episodes compared to 26/26 pts (100%) with at least one long episode of AF (p=0.017). Conclusion: Initial AF episodes in pts with CS are equally likely to be of short or long duration. However, nearly half of CS pts with initially brief episodes of AF subsequently have long duration episodes detected much later via prolonged monitoring with ICMs. Therefore, early detection of brief AF episodes may merit more rigorous monitoring of AF with ICMs since physicians were significantly more likely to prescribe OAC for secondary stroke prevention in response to longer duration episodes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document