Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Interatrial block: a novel risk factor for embolic stroke?
Vignendra Ariyarajah1, Puneet Puri, Sirin Apiyasawat
1Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), Veterans' Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA. vignendra@hotmail.com
Background:
Interatrial block (IAB; P wave > or = 110 ms) is highly prevalent and is strongly associated with atrial tachyarrhythmias and left atrial dysfunction, making it a potential embolic risk.
Methods And Results:
Among 293 neurological admissions over 2 years, 85 patients were diagnosed with embolic strokes and 208 with nonembolic strokes. Patients were then matched for stroke risk factors and evaluated for IAB. Eighty-eight percent of probable embolic stroke patients showed sinus rhythm, demonstrating a 61% IAB prevalence. Only hypertension (P < 0.001; r = 0.3) and IAB (P < 0.006; r = 0.2) were significant and directly correlated.
Conclusion:
IAB could indeed be a novel risk for embolic strokes and further investigation is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
