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

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 arecaused by an ischemic stroke. Most risk factors for stroke are manageable so that it can be avoided with proper prevention. Despite the successin determining the causes of stroke in recent years, selectively, the “culprit” causingstroke 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 occurrenceimpossible. 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 thoroughmonitoring of heart rate ofpatients with cryptogenic stroke and ESUS can be diagnosed inup 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.