ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN PATIENTS WITH FIRST-EVER ISCHEMIC STROKE

Аннотация

Objective: to evaluate the frequency of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, the adequacy of antithrombotic therapy before stroke, and its effect on clinical outcomes. Materials and methods: 169 patients hospitalized with first-ever ischemic stroke were included. All patients underwent CT scans, ECG, and, when indicated, MRI. Antithrombotic therapy prior to stroke was analyzed. Results: AF was identified in 15% of patients' history and newly diagnosed in 17% at admission. Only 10% of known AF patients received adequate antithrombotic treatment. Presence of AF significantly increased mortality or disability (OR=1.58; 95% CI 1.09–2.30, p=0.015). Conclusions: The results confirm the high frequency of atrial fibrillation (32%) among patients with first ischemic stroke and the need for continuous anticoagulant therapy for effective stroke prevention in this category of patients.