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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke.
Neha S Dangayach1, Kevin Kane, Majaz Moonis
1Saint Vincent Hospital.
Long-term monitoring for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) significantly increases diagnosis rates in cryptogenic stroke (CS) patients. This diagnosis impacts subsequent treatment strategies for stroke patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Stroke Medicine
Background:
- Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a frequently underdiagnosed cause of cryptogenic stroke (CS).
- Extended monitoring durations improve PAF detection in CS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare demographic and risk factors across ischemic stroke subtypes, focusing on CS.
- To evaluate the diagnostic yield of periodic Holter monitoring in patients with apparent CS.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of stroke subtypes based on TOAST criteria.
- Periodic Holter monitoring and imaging in patients diagnosed with CS.
Main Results:
- 17% of 298 ischemic stroke patients had CS.
- Periodic Holter monitoring diagnosed PAF in 29% of CS patients.
- All 5 CS patients with recurrent stroke were diagnosed with PAF via Holter monitoring.
Conclusions:
- Long-term rhythm monitoring is crucial for diagnosing PAF in a significant proportion of CS patients.
- Diagnosing PAF in CS patients leads to altered treatment plans.
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