Electrocardiographic left atrial abnormality in patients presenting with ischemic stroke

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• P wave indices are electrocardiographic markers of left atrial pathology.
• Left atrial abnormalities may contribute to ischemic stroke development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between P wave terminal force in V1 (PTFV1) and ischemic stroke.
• To determine if abnormal PTFV1 is more prevalent in ischemic stroke patients compared to controls.

Main Methods:

• Compared PTFV1 in ischemic stroke patients (cases) and cardiology clinic patients (controls).
• Used logistic regression to assess the association between abnormal PTFV1 (> 4000 µV·ms) and ischemic stroke.
• Defined optimal PTFV1 cut-off values and calculated odds ratios for stroke risk.

Main Results:

• Median PTFV1 was higher in ischemic stroke patients (4620 µV·ms) than controls (3994 µV·ms) (p=0.006).
• After multivariable adjustment, the association between abnormal PTFV1 and ischemic stroke was not significant (OR 1.53).
• Each incremental increase in PTFV1 cut-off level was associated with an 18% increase in ischemic stroke odds (OR 1.18 [1.02, 1.36], p=0.026).

Conclusions:

• Patients with acute ischemic stroke exhibit a higher likelihood of abnormal PTFV1.
• Findings support the link between left atrial pathology, indicated by abnormal PTFV1, and ischemic stroke risk.