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Updated: Jul 12, 2025

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
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Published on: February 28, 2012

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Atrial fibrillation and stroke: State-of-the-art and future directions

Sandra Elsheikh1, Andrew Hill2, Greg Irving3

  • 1Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St Helens, UK.

Current Problems in Cardiology
|November 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke share risks, with AF-related strokes having worse outcomes. Early AF detection is crucial for prevention and managing stroke in AF patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke are leading causes of death and disability.
  • AF-related strokes exhibit poorer outcomes and higher mortality than non-AF strokes.
  • Shared risk factors and comorbidities link AF and stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the intricate relationship between AF and stroke.
  • To discuss current treatment and secondary prevention strategies for stroke in AF patients.
  • To highlight ongoing challenges and future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and evidence synthesis.
  • Discussion of novel AF predictors like arterial calcification.
  • Analysis of management strategies for acute and breakthrough strokes in AF.

Main Results:

  • AF significantly increases stroke risk and severity.
  • Predictive scores for AF are under development but not yet standard.
  • Arterial calcification shows promise as an AF predictor.
  • Management of acute and breakthrough strokes in AF remains complex.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the AF-stroke link is vital for improving patient outcomes.
  • Early AF detection and risk stratification are essential for stroke prevention.
  • Further research is needed to refine management and prevention strategies for AF-related stroke.

Keywords:
atrial fibrillation (AF)left atrial appendage occlusionoral anticoagulant (OAC)strokethrombolytic therapy

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