Incidence, clinical features and outcomes of atrial fibrillation and stroke in Qatar

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahia Z Imam ◽  
Saadat Kamran ◽  
Naveed Akhtar ◽  
Dirk Deleu ◽  
Rajvir Singh ◽  
...  

Background Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for stroke but there are limited data on atrial fibrillation-related stroke from the Middle East. Methods We interrogated the Qatar Stroke Database to establish the occurrence, clinical features, and outcomes of atrial fibrillation-related stroke at Hamad General Hospital, the sole provider of acute stroke care in Qatar. Results A total of 4079 patients (81.4% male, mean age 55.4 ± 13.3 years) were enrolled in the stroke database between January 2014 and 21 October 2017. Atrial fibrillation was present in 260 (6.4%) patients, of whom 106 (2.6%) had newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was significantly higher (7.9 + 7.0 (median 6; IQR 11) vs. 5.9 + 6.4 (median 4; IQR 6), P < 0.001) in atrial fibrillation patients. The modified Rankin Score (mRS) (P < 0.001) and mortality at 90-day follow-up (P = 0.002) were significantly higher in atrial fibrillation compared to non-atrial fibrillation stroke patients. Conclusion We demonstrate a low rate of atrial fibrillation and stroke in Qatar, perhaps reflecting the relatively young age of these patients. Atrial fibrillation-related strokes had higher admission NIHSS, greater disability, and higher mortality at 90 days when compared to non-atrial fibrillation strokes.

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Achinta Kumar Mallick ◽  
Md Kafil Uddin ◽  
Md Ahmed Ali ◽  
Pijus Kumar Kundu ◽  
Sheikh Mohammad Emdadul Haque ◽  
...  

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia and a major risk factor for ischemic stroke, especially in the elderly. Patients with nonvalvular AF have a 5-fold excess risk of stroke. However, population-based data are scarce in patients who have experienced a first-ever ischemic stroke in the presence of AF regarding long-term risk of stroke recurrence and case-fatality rate. Aim of the study is to find out the outcome of ischemic stroke patients with Atrial Fibrillation. It was a descriptive type cross sectional study where 125 diagnosed cases of ischemic stroke were included. Presence of atrial fibrillation was detected by electrocardiogram. They were divided into two groups – those with atrial fibrillation and those without. Comparison was done between the two group in term of recurrence, mortality and clinical improvement. Atrial fibrillation was present in 22 (17.6%) of 125 patients with ischemic stroke. Those with AF were more frequently male, aged 45 years and older. The presence of AF was associated with high 3 months (Χ2 =4.562, df = 1, p<0.05) and 6 months mortality (Χ2 =7.868, df = 1, p<0.05), with a higher stroke recurrence rate within the first 6 months follow-up (22.7% versus 7.8% (<0.05)). At 3 months follow up clinical deterioration was noted in 9.1% patient with atrial fibrillation compared to 2.9% patients who had no arrhythmia(p<0.01) and at 6 months follow up clinical deterioration was noted in 18.2% patient with atrial fibrillation compared to 4.9% patients who had no arrhythmia(p<0.01). Ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation had significant mortality within the study period compared to those without atrial fibrillation. Significant deterioration in clinical outcome was noted in atrial fibrillation group after six months. Recurrence was more in ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation. Multivariate linear regression analysis shows atrial fibrillation as well as CKD, Diabetes mellitus and smoking as independent risk factor for recurrence. In conclusion, patients who had an ischemic stroke with accompanying atrial fibrillation had higher mortality, grave stroke severity, more recurrences and poorer functional status than those without atrial fibrillation.TAJ 2015; 28(2): 1-6


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Olson-Mack ◽  
Jacqueline Reardon ◽  
Elton Hedden ◽  
Rowena Carino ◽  
Cynthia VanWyk ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Emergency Department (ED) physicians often manage acute stroke patients without Neurology support at the bedside. Without guidance, they are left to rapidly assess, diagnose and treat acute stroke patients with minimal follow up on treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes. We hypothesized that introducing a Nurse Practitioner (NP) as Stroke Champion into an ED that did not have access to in-house Neurology would drive awareness of acute stroke care, and positively change practice to decrease door to needle times. Methods: The NP started in the 24-bed ED in June 2012. The average daily census of the ED for 2012 was 135 patients per day, and from January to June 2012, ED physicians initiated 46 stroke codes. Although Neurologists were available via telephone, ED physicians were left to accurately assess and initiate stroke codes, determine eligibility, and order IV tPA. In collaboration with the Stroke Medical Director, the Stroke NP conducted multiple education sessions regarding timing metrics in acute stroke care and door to tPA goals with ED clinicians, radiology, lab and pharmacy departments. Data was shared with stakeholders monthly to drive performance improvement initiatives. Results: Rapid improvements were made in all metrics. Mean time to CT first image improved by 19.3 minutes (37.3 to 18.0 minutes) in 6 months, and to 14.7 minutes in 1 year. CT result mean turn-around-time decreased by 19 minutes (from 54.0 to 29.1 minutes) in the first 6 months, and by 22.6 minutes (from 54.0 to 26.0 minutes) at 12 months. Likewise, laboratory result turn-around-times dramatically decreased by a mean of 15.9 minutes (54.4 to 38.5 minutes) over 6 months, and by a mean of 23 minutes (54.4 to 31.0 minutes) within 12 months. IV tPA treatment rates increased from 5% to 14.4% of all ischemic strokes. Door to IV tPA treatment times decreased by a mean of 33.9 minutes (104.5 to 70.6 minutes) in 6 months, and by 46.8 minutes (from 104.5 to 57.7 minutes) within the year. Conclusions: Introducing an NP into the ED to serve as Stroke Champion can provide added support to improve care of acute stroke patients by expediting assessment and treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J.F Camm ◽  
A.J Camm ◽  
S Virdone ◽  
J.-P Bassand ◽  
D.A Fitzmaurice ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, previous evidence has suggested an inverse association between BMI and risk of AF outcomes. Purpose To explore the association between BMI and outcomes in those with newly diagnosed AF in the GARFIELD-AF registry. Methods GARFIELD-AF is an international registry of consecutively recruited patients aged ≥18 years with newly diagnosed AF and ≥1 stroke risk factor. Data were collected prospectively on 52,080 patients. Participants with missing or extreme BMI values and those without two-year follow-up were excluded. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the effect of BMI on the risk of outcomes. Models were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol, and ≥moderate chronic kidney disease. Where appropriate participants were divided into groups based on BMI. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess non-linear relationships. Results BMI and outcome data were available for 40,495 patients. Those with higher BMI were generally younger, and more likely to have pre-existing hypertension, diabetes, or vascular disease (Table). Underweight patients received anticoagulation less often than those in other groups (60.3% vs 67.9%, respectively). During follow-up, 2,801 participants (6.9%) died and 603 (1.5%) had new/worsening heart failure. Following adjustment for potential confounders, a U-shaped relationship was seen between BMI and all-cause mortality and new/worsening heart failure (Figure). For all-cause mortality, the lowest risk was at 30kg/m2. Below this level, there was an 8% higher risk of mortality (95% confidence interval (CI) 6 to 9%) per 1kg/m2 lower BMI. Above 30kg/m2, there was a 5% higher risk of mortality per 1kg/m2 higher BMI (95% CI 4 to 7%). For new/worsening heart failure, the lowest risk was at 25kg/m2. Above this level, 1kg/m2 higher BMI was associated with an 5% higher risk (95% CI 13 to 6%). Conclusions BMI was an important risk factor for both all-cause mortality and new/worsening heart failure in AF. Those at both extremes of BMI are at higher risk. BMI and selected outcomes Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): The GARFIELD-AF registry is funded by an unrestricted research grant from Bayer AG.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1150-1157
Author(s):  
Kanta Tanaka ◽  
Masatoshi Koga ◽  
Keon-Joo Lee ◽  
Beom Joon Kim ◽  
Eun Lyeong Park ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose— Ischemic stroke associated with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) despite prior anticoagulation may indicate underlying problems that nullify the stroke-preventing effects of oral anticoagulants. We aimed to evaluate the risk for recurrent stroke in patients with NVAF with prior anticoagulation, compared with that in patients without prior anticoagulation. Methods— This study comprised pooled individual patient data on NVAF-associated acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack from 2011 to 2014 arising from the Clinical Research Collaboration for Stroke in Korea (15 South Korean stroke centers) and the Stroke Acute Management With Urgent Risk-Factor Assessment and Improvement-NVAF registry (18 Japanese stroke centers). Data on 4841 eligible patients from the Clinical Research Collaboration for Stroke in Korea registry were pooled with data on all patients (n=1192) in the Stroke Acute Management with Urgent Risk-factor Assessment and Improvement-NVAF registry. The primary outcome was recurrent ischemic stroke. The secondary outcomes were hemorrhagic stroke and all-cause death. Outcome events were captured up to 1 year after the index event. Results— Among the 6033 patients in the full cohort, 5645 patients were analyzed, of whom 1129 patients (20.0%) had received prior anticoagulation. Median age was 75 years (interquartile range, 69–81 years), and 2649 patients (46.9%) were women. Follow-up data of 4617 patient-years (median follow-up 365 days, interquartile range 335–365 days) were available. The cumulative incidence of recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with prior anticoagulation was 5.3% (60/1129), compared with the 2.9% (130/4516) incidence in patients without prior anticoagulation. The risk for recurrent ischemic stroke was higher in patients with prior anticoagulation than in those without (multivariable Cox shared-frailty model, hazard ratio 1.50 [95% CI, 1.02–2.21]). No significant differences in the risks for hemorrhagic stroke and mortality were seen between the 2 groups. Conclusions— The risk for recurrent ischemic stroke may be higher in NVAF-associated stroke patients with prior anticoagulation than in those without prior anticoagulation. Registration— URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01581502.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Jin Song ◽  
Jinkwon Kim ◽  
Dongbeom Song ◽  
Yong-Jae Kim ◽  
Hyo Suk Nam ◽  
...  

Background: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) were predictive of mortality in elderly and considered as a putative marker for risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Stroke patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) require anticoagulation, which increases the risk of hemorrhages. We investigated association of CMBs with the long term mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF. Methods: During 6 years , consecutive ischemic stroke patients who had NVAF and who had undergone brain MRI with a gradient-recalled echo sequence were enrolled. Long-term mortality and causes of death were identified using data from Korean National Statistical Office. Survival analysis was performed whether the presence, number and location of CMBs were related with all causes, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular mortality during follow-up. Results: Total 506 patients were enrolled during the study period and were followed up for median 2.5 years. CMBs were found in 30.8% of patients (156/506). Oral anticoagulation with warfarin was prescribed at discharge in 477 (82.7%) patients. During follow up, 177 (35%) patients died and cerebrovascular death was noted in 93 patients (81 ischemic stroke and 12 hemorrhagic stroke). After adjusting age, sex and significant variables in univariate analysis (p<0.1), multiple CMBs (≥5) were the independent predictor for all-cause, cardiovascular and ischemic stroke mortalities. The strictly lobar CMBs were associated with hemorrhagic stroke mortality in multivariate Cox regression analysis (HR 4.776, p=0.032) (Figure 1). Conclusions: Multiple CMBs were the independent predictor for the long term mortality in stroke patients with NVAF. Among them, patients with strictly lobar CMBs had a high risk of death due to hemorrhagic stroke. Our findings suggest that detection of CMBs in stroke patients with NVAF are of clinical relevance for predicting long term outcome and that particular concern is necessary in those with strictly lobar CMBs for their increased risk of death due to hemorrhagic stroke. Figure 1.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihoon Kang ◽  
Seong Eun Kim ◽  
Hyunjoo Song ◽  
Hee-joon Bae

Purpose: Stroke patients generally transport stroke patients either to nearest stroke hospital with secondary transfers or to hub hospitals in selective cases. This study aimed to determine the stroke community of close networks and to evaluate their role for the access the endovascular treatment (EVT). Methods: Using the nationwide acute stroke hospital (ASH) surveillance data assessed the major quality indicators of all stroke patients of South Korea, triage information both initial visit and secondary interhospital transfers were extracted according to the hospitals. Based on them, stroke community with dense linkages were partitioned using the network-based Louvain algorithm. The hierarchical model estimated the function of stroke community for the EVT. Results: For 6-month surveying period, 19113 subjects admitted to the 246 ASHs. Of them, 1831 (9.6%) were transferred from 763 adjacent facilities not ASH, while 1283 (6.7%) from the other ASHs. The algorithm determined the 113 stroke communities where composed median 7 hospitals (2 ASHs and 5 adjacent facilities) and treated about 30 subjects per month. Most of communities formed the spindle shape with higher centralization index and located within 150 Km (Figure). Stroke communities significantly affected 11% of EVT after adjustments. Conclusions: Network analysis method effectively contoured the high centralizing stroke communities and helped the functions on the EVT accessibility.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Archit Bhatt ◽  
Elizabeth Barban ◽  
Leslie Corless ◽  
Tamela Stuchiner ◽  
Amit Kansara

Background: Research has shown that subjects evaluated at (Primary Stroke Centers) PSCs are more likely to receive rt–PA than those evaluated at non–PSCs. It is unknown if telestroke evaluation affects rt-PA rates at non-PSCs. We hypothesized that with a robust telestroke system rt-TPA rates among PSCs and non-PSCs are not significantly different. Methods and Results: Data were obtained from the Providence Stroke Registry from January 2010 to December 2012. We identified ischemic stroke patients (n=3307) who received care in Oregon and Southwest Washington, which include 2 PSCs and 14 non-PSCs. Intravenous rt–PA was administered to 7.3% (n=242) of ischemic patients overall, 8.4% (n=79) at non–PSCs and 6.9% (n=163) at PSCs (p=.135). Stroke neurologists evaluated 5.2 % (n=172) of all ischemic stroke patients (n=3307) were evaluated via telestroke robot. Our analysis included AIS (Acute Ischemic Stroke) patients, those presenting within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. We identified 1070 AIS discharges from 16 hospitals of which 77.9 % (n=833) were at PSCs and 22.1 % (n=237) non-PSCs. For acute ischemic stroke patients (AIS) patients, those presenting within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, 22.1% (n=237) received rt-PA; 21.5% (n=74) presented at non–PSCs and 23.7% (n=163) presented at PSCs. Among AIS, bivariate analysis showed significant differences in treatment rates by race, age, NIHSS at admit, previous stroke or TIA, PVD, use of robot, smoking and time from patient arrival to CT completed. Using multiple logistic regression adjusting for these variables, treatment was significantly related to admit NIHSS (AOR=1.67, p<.001), history of stroke (AOR=.323, p<.001), TIA (AOR=.303, p=.01) and PVD (AOR=.176, p=.02), time to CT (.971, p<.001), and use of robot (7.76, p<.001). PSC designation was not significantly related to treatment (p=.06). Conclusions: Through the use of a robust telestroke system, there are no significant differences in the TPA treatment rates between non-PSC and PSC facilities. Telestroke systems can ensure stroke patients access to acute stroke care at non-PSC hospitals.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shyam Prabhakaran ◽  
Robin Hamann ◽  
Kathleen O’Neill ◽  
Michelle Gardner ◽  
Peggy Jones

Background: Critical access hospitals (CAH) are the first point of stroke care in many rural regions of the United States (US). The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN), a network of 51 CAH in Illinois, began a quality improvement program to address acute stroke care in 2009. We evaluated the performance on several metrics in acute stroke care at CAH between 2009 and 2011. Methods: Currently, 28 of 51 CAHs in Illinois currently participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines - Stroke (GWTG-S) registry for quality improvement. The GWTG-S registry captured elements including demographics, diagnosis, times of arrival, imaging completion, and intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) administration, and final discharge disposition. We analyzed the change in percent of stroke patients receiving tPA, door-to-needle (DTN) time, and proportion of total stroke patients admitted versus transferred to another facility over the 3 years. Fisher’s exact and Mann-Whitney tests were used as appropriate. Results: In the baseline assessment (2009), there were 111 strokes from 8 sites which grew to 12 sites and 305 strokes in year 1 (2010) and 14 sites and 328 strokes in year 3 (2011). The rate of tPA use for ischemic stroke was 2.2% in 2009, 4.0% in 2010, and 6.2% in 2011 (P=0.20). EMS arrival (41.1%), EMS pre-notification (82.6%), door-to-CT times (median 35 minutes; 34.6% < 25 minutes), and DTN times (average 93 minutes; 13.3% DTN time < 60 minutes) were not different over time. The rate of transfer from CAH to another hospital (51.3%) was constant. Every patient that received tPA except 1 (96.9%) was transferred (drip-ship) for post-tPA care. Conclusions: Improving acute stroke care at CAHs is feasible and represents a significant opportunity to increase tPA utilization in rural areas. As stroke systems develop, it is vital that CAHs be included in quality improvement efforts. The ICAHN stroke collaborative provided the opportunity to coordinate resources, share best practices, participate in targeted educational programming, and utilize data for performance improvement through the funded GWTG-S registry.


2021 ◽  
pp. ASN.2021060744
Author(s):  
Nisha Bansal ◽  
Leila Zelnick ◽  
Kristi Reynolds ◽  
Teresa Harrison ◽  
Ming-Sum Lee ◽  
...  

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with worse cardiovascular and kidney outcomes. Limited data exist on use of AF pharmacotherapies and AF-related procedures by CKD status. We examined a large "real-world" contemporary population of incident AF to study the association of CKD with management of AF. Methods: We identified patients with newly diagnosed AF between 2010-2017 from two large, integrated healthcare delivery systems. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (≥60, 45-59, 30-44, 15-29, <15 ml/min/1.73 m2) was calculated from a minimum of two ambulatory serum creatinine measures separated by ≥90 days. AF medications and procedures were identified from electronic health records. We performed multivariable Fine-Gray subdistribution hazards regression to test the association of CKD severity with receipt of targeted AF therapies. Results: Among 115,564 incident AF patients, 34% had baseline CKD. In multivariable models, compared to those with eGFR>60 ml/min/1.73 m2, patients with eGFR 30-44 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.91, 95%CI:0.99-0.93), 15-29 (aHR 0.78, 95%CI:0.75-0.82) and <15 ml/min/1.73 m2 (HR 0.64, 95%CI:0.58-0.70) had lower use of any AF therapy. Patients with eGFR 15-29 ml/min/1.73 m2 had lower adjusted use of rate control agents (aHR 0.61, 95%CI:0.56-0.67), warfarin (aHR 0.89, 95%CI:0.84-0.94) and DOACs (aHR 0.23, 95% CI:0.19-0.27) compared to patients with eGFR>60 ml/min/1.73 m2. These associations were even stronger for eGFR <15 ml/min/1.73 m2. There was also a graded association between CKD severity and receipt of AF-related procedures (vs. eGFR>60 ml/min/1.73 m2): eGFR 30-44 ml/min/1.73 (aHR 0.78, 95%CI:0.70-0.87), eGFR 15-29 ml/min/1.73 m2 (aHR 0.73, 95%CI:0.61-0.88) and eGFR<15 ml/min/1.73 m2 (aHR 0.48, 95%CI:0.31-0.74). Conclusions: In adults with newly diagnosed AF, CKD severity was associated with lower receipt of rate control agents, anticoagulation and AF procedures. Additional data on efficacy and safety of AF therapies in CKD populations are needed to inform management strategies.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patty Noah ◽  
Melanie Henderson ◽  
Rebekah Heintz ◽  
Russell Cerejo ◽  
Christopher T Hackett ◽  
...  

Introduction: Dysphagia occurs in up to two thirds of stroke patients and can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia, which is also linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Evidence-based guidelines recommend a bedside dysphagia assessment before oral intake in stroke patients regardless of initial stroke severity. Several studies have described registered nurses’ competency in terms of knowledge and skills regarding dysphagia screening. We aimed to examine the rate of aspiration pneumonia compared to the rate of dysphagia screening. Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data at a single tertiary stroke center was carried out between January 2017 and June 2020. Data comparison was completed utilizing ICD-10 diagnosis codes to identify aspiration pneumonia in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. The data was reviewed to compare the compliance of a completed dysphagia screen prior to any oral intake to rate of aspiration pneumonia. Chi square tests were used to assess proportion differences in completed dysphagia screen and proportion of aspiration pneumonia diagnosis in the ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. Results: We identified 3320 patient that met inclusion criteria. 67% were ischemic strokes, 22% were intracerebral hemorrhages and 11% were subarachnoid hemorrhages. Compliance with dysphagia screening decreased from 94.2% (n=1555/1650) in 2017-2018 to 74.0% (n=1236/1670) in 2019-2020, OR=0.17 (95%CI 0.14 - 0.22), p < 0.0001. Aspiration pneumonias increased from 58 (3.5%) in 2017-2018 to 77 (4.6%) in 2019-2020, but this difference was not statistically significant, OR=0.75 (95%CI 0.53 - 1.07), p = 0.11. Conclusion: We noted that the decrease in compliance with completing a dysphagia screen in patients with acute stroke prior to any oral intake was associated with a higher trend of aspiration pneumonia.


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