by New research suggests that standard medical monitoring methods may not effectively detect atrial fibrillation in patients recovering from a stroke. The study, led by Northwestern Medicine and published in JAMA Neurology, found that insertable cardiac monitors detected a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation over a three-year period compared to standard medical monitoring methods.
Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular and rapid heartbeat and increases the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with other stroke risk factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke-preventing therapies, such as anticoagulation drugs, are the current standard of care for long-term treatment. However, some patients experience a second stroke caused by factors other than their initial stroke, highlighting the need for additional preventive care.
The study, known as the STROKE AF clinical trial, was led by Dr. Richard Bernstein, a professor in the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology Division of Stroke and Vascular Neurology and the lead author of the study. It aimed to compare the rates of atrial fibrillation in patients who received an insertable cardiac monitor with those who received standard monitoring over a three-year period.
The trial involved more than 300 patients from 33 clinical sites across the United States. The patients were randomized to receive either a cardiac monitor or standard medical monitoring. The participants were aged 60 or older, or between 50 and 59 with at least one additional stroke risk factor, and had experienced an ischemic stroke attributed to large-artery atherosclerotic disease (LAD) or small-vessel occlusive disease (SVD) within 10 days before receiving a cardiac monitor.
After the three-year trial period, the researchers found that the rate of atrial fibrillation was 22.7% in the group using cardiac monitors, compared to 2.4% in the control group. These findings suggest that insertable cardiac monitors should be considered for patients who have experienced an ischemic stroke in the past. However, further research is needed to confirm these results.
Dr. Bernstein emphasized the importance of monitoring in stroke patients, but also advised caution in implementing this approach. While monitoring may be necessary, potential harm and the overall benefits need to be carefully evaluated before treating these patients. He suggested that inserting a monitor may be necessary to confirm the presence of atrial fibrillation in patients where treatment is being considered.
In conclusion, current medical monitoring methods may not consistently detect atrial fibrillation in patients recovering from a stroke. The use of insertable cardiac monitors has shown promising results in detecting atrial fibrillation in this patient population. Future research should focus on confirming these findings and evaluating the potential benefits and risks of implementing cardiac monitoring in stroke patients.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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