Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke

Card Electrophysiol Clin. 2021 Mar;13(1):243-255. doi: 10.1016/j.ccep.2020.11.003.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrythmia and a major cause of stroke, heart failure, sudden death, and cardiovascular morbidity. AF increases risk of thromboembolic stroke via stasis in the left atrium and subsequent embolization to the brain. In patients with acute ischemic stroke, it is essential that clinicians undertake careful investigation to search for AF. In these patients, up to 23.7% eventually are found to have underlying AF. Oral anticoagulation is effective in prevention of strokes secondary to AF, reducing overall stroke numbers by approximately 64%. Left atrial appendage occlusion is promising for prevention of stroke in AF.

Keywords: AF; Atrial fibrillation; Cardioembolic; Embolic stroke; Stroke; Warfarin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / physiopathology
  • Embolic Stroke* / drug therapy
  • Embolic Stroke* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Warfarin