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Del Monte A, Rivezzi F, Giacomin E, Peruzza F, Del Greco M, Maines M, Migliore F, Zorzi A, Viaro F, Pieroni A, La Licata A, Baracchini C, Bertaglia E. Multiparametric identification of subclinical atrial fibrillation after an embolic stroke of undetermined source. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:979-988. [PMID: 36383264 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06501-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF) may represent a cause of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) and its detection has important implications for secondary prevention with anticoagulation. Indications to implantable cardiac monitors (ICM) include SCAF detection. The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate the frequency of ICM-detected SCAF; (2) determine predictors of SCAF; and (3) identify patients who would benefit most from ICM implantation. METHODS Between February 2017 and November 2020, all consecutive patients referred for ICM implantation after a diagnosis of ESUS and without previous history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter were included in this study. SCAF was diagnosed if the ICM electrogram demonstrated an episode of irregularly irregular rhythm without distinct P waves lasting > 2 min. RESULTS We enrolled 109 patients (age 66, SD = 13 years; 36% females). During a median follow-up of 19.2 (IQR 11.0-27.5) months, SCAF episodes were detected in 36 (33%) patients. Only abnormal P wave terminal force in lead V1, left atrial end-systolic indexed volume > 34 ml/m2, and BMI > 25 kg/m2 were independently associated with an increased risk of SCAF (HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.14-5.21, p = 0.021; HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.11-5.13, p = 0.026; and HR 2.64, 95% CI 1.06-6.49, p = 0.036 respectively). The ROC curve showed that the presence of all three parameters had the best accuracy (74%) to predict SCAF detection (sensitivity 39%, specificity 91%). CONCLUSION A multiparametric evaluation has the best accuracy to predict SCAF in ESUS patients and may help identifying those who would benefit most from ICM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvise Del Monte
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Forcellini, 209/d, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Rivezzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Forcellini, 209/d, Padua, Italy
| | - Enrico Giacomin
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Forcellini, 209/d, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Peruzza
- Department of Cardiology, Santa Maria del Carmine Hospital, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Maurizio Del Greco
- Department of Cardiology, Santa Maria del Carmine Hospital, Rovereto, Italy
| | | | - Federico Migliore
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Forcellini, 209/d, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Forcellini, 209/d, Padua, Italy
| | - Federica Viaro
- Stroke Unit and Neurosonology Laboratory, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessio Pieroni
- Stroke Unit and Neurosonology Laboratory, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea La Licata
- Department of Neurology, Santa Maria del Carmine Hospital, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Claudio Baracchini
- Stroke Unit and Neurosonology Laboratory, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Emanuele Bertaglia
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Forcellini, 209/d, Padua, Italy.
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Rubiera M, Aires A, Antonenko K, Lémeret S, Nolte CH, Putaala J, Schnabel RB, Tuladhar AM, Werring DJ, Zeraatkar D, Paciaroni M. European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guideline on screening for subclinical atrial fibrillation after stroke or transient ischaemic attack of undetermined origin. Eur Stroke J 2022; 7:VI. [PMID: 36082257 PMCID: PMC9446336 DOI: 10.1177/23969873221099478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to provide practical recommendations for the screening of subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) of undetermined origin. These guidelines are based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Five relevant Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome questions were defined by a multidisciplinary module working group (MWG). Longer duration of cardiac rhythm monitoring increases the detection of subclinical AF, but the optimal monitoring length is yet to be defined. We advise longer monitoring to increase the rate of anticoagulation, but whether longer monitoring improves clinical outcomes needs to be addressed. AF detection does not differ from in- or out-patient ECG-monitoring with similar monitoring duration, so we consider it reasonable to initiate in-hospital monitoring as soon as possible and continue with outpatient monitoring for more than 48h. Although insertable loop recorders (ILR) increase AF detection based on their longer monitoring duration, comparison with non-implantable ECG devices for similar monitoring time is lacking. We suggest the use of implantable devices, if feasible, for AF detection instead of non- implantable devices to increase the detection of subclinical AF. There is weak evidence of a useful role for blood, ECG, and brain imaging biomarkers for the identification of patients at high risk of AF. In patients with patent foramen ovale, we found insufficient evidence from RCT, but prolonged cardiac monitoring in patients >55 years is advisable for subclinical AF detection. To conclude, in adult patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA of undetermined origin, we recommend longer duration of cardiac rhythm monitoring of more than 48h and if feasible with IRL to increase the detection of subclinical AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Rubiera
- Stroke Unit, Neurology, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Aires
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Kateryna Antonenko
- Department of Neurology, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Christian H. Nolte
- Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie and Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jukka Putaala
- Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Renate B. Schnabel
- Department of Cardiology University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf Hamburg Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck Germany
| | - Anil M Tuladhar
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Medical Neurosciences, Radboud
University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - David J. Werring
- Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dena Zeraatkar
- Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maurizio Paciaroni
- Stroke Unit, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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