Detection of atrial fibrillation after stroke.
Summary of "Detection of atrial fibrillation after stroke."
Approximately every fourth stroke results from cardiac embolism. Atrial fibrillation has been recognized as a common cause for thromboembolic stroke. Detection of unknown atrial fibrillation is an important clinical challenge, as anticoagulation may effectively reduce the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke. In all patients with a cryptogenic stroke 24-h Holter monitoring should be performed in addition to a standard ECG to detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In addition, it is useful to pay attention to atrial fibrillation during continuous bedside ECG monitoring on the stroke unit and in pacemaker interrogation. The indication for longer ECG monitoring by implantable loop recorders may be considered individually based on the expected probability of atrial fibrillation. The potential benefit of these devices is currently being evaluated in clinical trials.
Affiliation
Klinik III für Innere Medizin, Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland, Uta.Hoppe@uni-koeln.de.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Der Nervenarzt
ISSN: 1433-0407
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21253685
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00115-010-3112-7
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Atrial Flutter
Rapid, irregular atrial contractions caused by a block of electrical impulse conduction in the right atrium and a reentrant wave front traveling up the inter-atrial septum and down the right atrial free wall or vice versa. Unlike ATRIAL FIBRILLATION which is caused by abnormal impulse generation, typical atrial flutter is caused by abnormal impulse conduction. As in atrial fibrillation, patients with atrial flutter cannot effectively pump blood into the lower chambers of the heart (HEART VENTRICLES).
Digoxin
A cardiotonic glycoside obtained mainly from Digitalis lanata; it consists of three sugars and the aglycone DIGOXIGENIN. Digoxin has positive inotropic and negative chronotropic activity. It is used to control ventricular rate in ATRIAL FIBRILLATION and in the management of congestive heart failure with atrial fibrillation. Its use in congestive heart failure and sinus rhythm is less certain. The margin between toxic and therapeutic doses is small. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p666)
Warfarin
An anticoagulant that acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. Warfarin is indicated for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of venous thrombosis and its extension, pulmonary embolism, and atrial fibrillation with embolization. It is also used as an adjunct in the prophylaxis of systemic embolism after myocardial infarction. Warfarin is also used as a rodenticide.
Atrial Premature Complexes
A type of cardiac arrhythmia with premature atrial contractions or beats caused by signals originating from ectopic atrial sites. The ectopic signals may or may not conduct to the HEART VENTRICLES. Atrial premature complexes are characterized by premature P waves on ECG which are different in configuration from the P waves generated by the normal pacemaker complex in the SINOATRIAL NODE.
Atrial Fibrillation
Abnormal cardiac rhythm that is characterized by rapid, uncoordinated firing of electrical impulses in the upper chambers of the heart (HEART ATRIA). In such case, blood cannot be effectively pumped into the lower chambers of the heart (HEART VENTRICLES). It is caused by abnormal impulse generation.
PubMed Articles
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