Atrial Fibrillation, Cryptogenic Stroke, Recurrent Ischemic Stroke
Conditions
Keywords
Cryptogenic stroke, Atrial Fibrillation, Recurrent Ischemic Stroke, Ischemic stroke
Brief summary
Brief Summary: This study aimed to investigate the risk and factors that predict recurrent stroke in patients who initially had a stroke with no clear cause (called cryptogenic stroke) and were later found to have atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular heart rhythm that can increase stroke risk. The study was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan, over five years from 2018 to 2023. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In many cases, the cause of stroke is unclear, which makes it difficult to prevent it from happening again. Atrial fibrillation is a common hidden cause of such strokes but is often hard to detect because it can occur intermittently without symptoms. Detecting AF early is important because patients with AF benefit greatly from blood-thinning medicines (anticoagulants) that reduce the risk of another stroke. In this study, medical records of patients diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke were reviewed. Patients who were later diagnosed with atrial fibrillation within 12 months of their stroke were included. The researchers collected information about their age, gender, heart examinations, how and when AF was diagnosed, use of blood-thinning medicines, and if they had another stroke during follow-up. The study highlights the importance of early and prolonged heart rhythm monitoring in patients with cryptogenic stroke to detect atrial fibrillation. It also stresses the need for better access to and adherence to anticoagulant therapy in resource-limited settings like Pakistan to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and improve patient outcomes.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTExtended Cardiac Monitoring
This observational study involved the use of standard cardiac monitoring methods to detect atrial fibrillation in patients initially diagnosed with cryptogenic ischemic stroke. Monitoring techniques included 12-lead ECG, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and implantable loop recorders (ILRs). No experimental interventions were assigned; patients received routine clinical care.
Sponsors
Nangarhar University
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 18 years or older. * Patients initially diagnosed with cryptogenic ischemic stroke confirmed by neuroimaging and standard diagnostic evaluation. * Patients subsequently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation within 12 months of index stroke, confirmed by ECG, 24-hour Holter monitoring, or implantable loop recorder. * Availability of complete clinical and follow-up data.
Exclusion criteria
* Known history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter prior to the index stroke. * Presence of structural heart diseases, valvular abnormalities, or congenital cardiac anomalies. * Incomplete clinical or follow-up data.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Incidence of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke | 5 years | Occurrence of new ischemic stroke confirmed by clinical assessment and neuroimaging during the follow-up period in patients initially diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke and later diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed