Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in acute ischemic stroke patients: A hospital-based study from India

BACKGROUND: Secondary stroke prevention is as important as the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in regards to halt neurological disability and to lower down mortality due to recurrent episodes. The effective secondary prevention depends on finding the specific risk factors leading to cerebro-vascular insult. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed this study to find prevalence of persistent/Paroxysmal AF in stroke patients from single center hospital based study. METHODS: Hospital based study enrolled all prospective patients of acute ischemic stroke from January 2016 to December 2018. All patients were subjected to test for risk factors analysis after detail clinical history and examination of these patients. Following variables were recorded; age, gender, stroke territory, stroke severity by NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale), LDL-C (Low Density Lipoprotein - cholesterol) of more than 100 mg/dl, HBA1C (Glycosylated Hemoglobin) of more than 6.5, Homocystine of more than 15 Mc Mol/L, 2D-Echocardiographic abnormalities, electrocardiography/24 hour Holter Monitoring, cerebral angiography of brain and neck findings and outcome of patients in 90 days follow-up based on Modified Rankin Scale. RESULTS: Total 246 patients (69.5% men and 30.5% women) of Acute Ischemic stroke were recorded during study period. Mean age was 61.4 years, with 31 (12.4%) patients were below 45 years. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was detected either on conventional ECG or 24 hour Holter monitoring in 62 (25.2%) patients. CONCLUSION: Stroke with AF is found in 25% patients, more common in elderly, female large atrial size and associated with poor outcome.