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Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Clinical Features, Risk Factors, and Short-term Outcome of Ischemic Stroke, in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation:
William G Akanksha1, Kaur Paramdeep2, Singh Gagandeep3
1Department of Neurology, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India.
Insights
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cause of stroke. This study found that 10% of stroke patients had AF, were older, had more risk factors, and experienced worse outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia linked to stroke.
- Understanding the characteristics of stroke patients with AF is crucial for risk stratification and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the risk factors, clinical features, and short-term outcomes of ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation.
- To identify demographic and clinical differences between stroke patients with and without AF.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, population-based stroke registry study was conducted in Ludhiana.
- Data from 1942 ischemic stroke patients (≥18 years) were analyzed using the WHO STEPS stroke method.
- Outcomes were assessed at 28 days using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).
Main Results:
- Atrial fibrillation was identified in 10% (203/1942) of ischemic stroke patients.
- AF patients were significantly older and had higher rates of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and carotid stenosis compared to non-AF patients.
- Stroke patients with AF experienced significantly worse short-term outcomes (higher mRS scores at 28 days).
Conclusions:
- Approximately 10% of ischemic stroke patients in this cohort had atrial fibrillation.
- Atrial fibrillation in stroke patients is associated with advanced age, multiple comorbidities, and poorer functional outcomes.
- No significant gender disparity was observed in this large cohort of stroke patients with AF.
Objectives:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disorder associated with stroke. This study was done to describe risk factors, clinical features, and short-term outcomes of stroke patients with AF.
Materials And Methods:
This study was a part of the Indian Council of Medical Research funded "Ludhiana urban population based Stroke Registry." Data were collected using WHO STEPS stroke method. All patients ≥18 years of age, who developed ischemic stroke between March 26, 2011, and March 25, 2013, were included in this study. Data about demographic details, clinical features, and risk factors were collected. The outcome was assessed at 28 days using modified Rankin scale (mRs) (good outcome: mRS ≤2; poor outcome >2). The statistical measures calculated were descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fischer's exact test, and independent t-test.
Results:
Of the total 7199 patients enrolled in the registry, data of 1942 patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were analyzed, and AF was seen in 203 (10%) patients. AF patients were older (AF 62 ± 14 vs. non-AF 60 ± 15 years, P = 0.01), had more hypertension (AF 176 [87%] vs. non-AF 1396 [80%], P = 0.03), hyperlipidemia (AF 60 [32%] vs. non-AF 345 [21%], P = 0.001), coronary artery disease (AF 60 [30%] vs. non-AF 195 [11%], P < 0.0001), and carotid stenosis (AF 14 [7%] vs. non-AF 57 (3%), P = 0.02). They had worse outcome (mRS >2; AF 90 [50%] vs. non-AF 555 [37%], P = 0.001).
Conclusions:
Ten percent of stroke patients had AF. They were older, had multiple risk factors and worse outcome. There was no gender difference in this large cohort.
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