Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Admitted with Ischaemic Stroke: A Non-systematic Review of the Asian Population

Abstract

Stroke with AF is often associated with high recurrence rates. However, many patients with ischaemic stroke do not have a history of AF and show sinus rhythm and the absence of AF on their admission ECG. The detection of AF remains challenging due to its intermittent nature. Therefore, the ultimate goal of cardiac monitoring after cerebral ischaemic events is to detect AF so that oral anticoagulants can be prescribed to prevent the recurrence of a second, more debilitating or fatal stroke. In this article, AF detection in hospitalised patients with ischaemic stroke is discussed, with a focus on the Asian population. The AF detection rates in Asian cohorts are compared with those of major studies in the Western population; the utility and limitations of various cardiac monitoring modalities in Asian populations and healthcare systems and emerging technologies that could potentially detect AF in the stroke population are summarised and clinical practice and evidence gaps in detecting AF to prevent stroke recurrence are discussed.