Introduction
Cryptogenic stroke (CS) represents one-third of ischemic strokes. Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be detected in up to 30% of CS. Therefore, there is a clinical need for predicting AF to guide the optimal secondary prevention strategy. The evidence about the role of advanced echocardiography, including left atrial 3D index volume and left atrial strain (LAS) techniques, to predict underlying AF in this setting is lacking.
Methods
From April 2019 to November 2021 seventy-eight consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack with ABCD2 scale ≥4 of unknown etiology were prospectively recruited. Echocardiography was performed during admission. All patients underwent 15 days wearable Holter monitoring. The primary outcome measure was AF detection during follow-up.
Results
Twenty -two patients (28%) developed AF. Patients in the AF group were older (81±6.3 vs 76.5±7.8 years; p=0.012). Left atrial (LA) diastolic indexed volume was higher in AF group (37.2±12.8 vs 29.7±11 ml/m2 p=0.01). 3D LA indexed volume were also higher in patients with AF (41.4±14 vs 32.2±10 ml/m2 p=0.009). LAS reservoir, LAS conduct and LAS contraction (LASct) were significantly lower in patients with AF (19±5.6 vs 32±10.3%; 9±4.5 vs 15±7.6; 10±5.3 vs 17±6.4, respectively, all p<0.001). On multivariate analysis LASct <13.5% and LA 3D indexed volume >44.5 ml/m2 were independent predictors of AF (OR 10.9 [95% CI 1.09–108.2], p=0.042) (Table 1, Figure 1)
Conclusion
LASct <13.5% and LA 3D indexed volume >44.5 ml/m2 are independent predictors of underlying AF in patients with CS. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of advanced echocardiography in this challenging clinical setting.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Spanish Society of Cardiology
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.