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Ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation. A clinical study
P Novello1, G Ajmar, D Bianchini
1Divisione Neurologica, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genova.
Insights
This study found that atrial fibrillation (AF) patients experience more severe ischemic strokes, with a higher incidence in females. Specific age groups showed increased stroke risk with AF.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked to a higher prevalence of severe ischemic stroke.
- Recent data suggest an increased frequency of stroke in females with AF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical and laboratory features of ischemic stroke patients with and without AF.
- To evaluate AF-related stroke features by gender and age.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 516 consecutive ischemic stroke patients, including 93 with AF.
- Statistical comparison of anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory data between AF and non-AF groups.
- Evaluation of AF patient data stratified by gender and age.
Main Results:
- Stroke severity is greater in patients with AF compared to non-AF patients.
- Stroke incidence with AF is higher in female patients.
- Increased stroke frequency with AF observed in males aged 60-69 and females aged 80-89.
Conclusions:
- Confirms greater stroke severity and higher female incidence in AF patients.
- Identifies specific age-gender groups with elevated AF-related stroke risk.
- Highlights hypertension and LVH in older females, and diabetes, alcohol, and smoking in middle-aged males as key risk factors.
Abstract:
In view of the higher prevalence of severe ischemic stroke among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and of the recently reported higher frequency of stroke with AF in females, 516 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke, of whom 93 had AF, were retrospectively evaluated. The main anamnestic, clinical and laboratory features of the AF and non-AF groups were statistically compared and the features of the AF group were statistically evaluated according to gender and age. Our results confirm the greater severity of stroke in AF patients than in non-AF patients and the higher frequency of stroke with AF in female patients. Moreover, a significantly higher frequency of stroke with AF was found in the male 60-69 and the female 80-89 age groups than in the other age groups. Relevant risk factors in females aged 80-89 were hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), while diabetes, alcohol, smoking and LVH prevailed among 60-69 year old males.