Clinical Trial: Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Brief Runs of Premature Atrial Complexes in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Historical Cohort Study

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to estimate the clinical relevance of monitoring patients with acute ischemic stroke with 48 hours' inpatient cardiac telemetry in relation to evaluate the presence of brief runs of premature atrial complexes and new diagnosed atrial fibrillation. Furthermore to evaluate the prognostic significance of brief runs of premature atrial complexes in relation to develop atrial fibrillation, recurrent stroke/transient ischemic attack and death.

Detailed Summary:

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and it is well known that atrial fibrillation(AF) is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. Paroxysmal AF can be difficult to detect because many cases are asymptomatic. In recent years prolonged cardiac rhythm monitoring of patients with ischemic stroke has showed an underestimated prevalence of AF. However, no optimal monitoring strategy is implemented in the clinic yet. This is the reason why research currently is focused on finding predictive risk markers of AF. Cohort studies of healthy individuals and stroke patients have shown that excessive premature atrial complexes (PACs) and brief runs of PACs are an emerging risk marker in helping to identifying patients in risk of having or developing AF. Despite this brief runs of PACs less than 30 s are today in everyday clinical practice perceived to be of no clinical significance.

The study population of ischemic stroke patients have all without known AF underwent ECG and 48 hours' inpatient cardiac telemetry as a clinical routine. In the medical record it is registered if patients had runs of PACs or new diagnosed AF.

All patients are registered in the Danish Stroke Registry, and all the baseline data on patients will be obtained from the registry.

The follow-up end August 2015 and information on AF, recurrent stroke and death will be obtained from medical records and the Funen Patient Administrative System, which is linked to the national Civil Registration System.

The purpose of this study is to estimate the clinical relevance of monitoring patients with acute ischemic stroke with 48 hours' inpatient cardiac telemetry in relation to evaluate the presence of brief runs of PACs and new diagnosed AF. Furthermore to eval
Sponsor: Odense University Hospital

Current Primary Outcome: Time to death or recurrent stroke [ Time Frame: Up to 4 years ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Number of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation by 48 hours' continuous inpatient cardiac telemetry [ Time Frame: up to 2 days ]
  • Number of patients diagnosed with runs of premature atrial complexes by 48 hours' continuous cardiac telemetry [ Time Frame: up to 2 days ]
  • Time to develop atrial fibrillation in patients without know atrial fibrillation at admission. Registered in Medical journals and discharge letters. [ Time Frame: Up to 4 years ]
  • Number of patients with atrial fibrillation having oral anticoagulant treatment at discharge. Data will be extracted from the Danish Stroke Registry. [ Time Frame: to the day of discharge (up to 4 weeks) ]


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Odense University Hospital

Dates:
Date Received: November 13, 2015
Date Started: September 2014
Date Completion:
Last Updated: November 19, 2015
Last Verified: November 2015