Predicting the Propensity of Atrial Cardiopathy and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS).

Background: There is still a significant population of patients with embolic stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS) whose specific attributable cause of the stroke remains unknown.

Objective: Our research aimed to assess clinical, electrocardiogram, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters that may predict the propensity of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Methods: We enrolled seventy-five ESUS patients who were in sinus rhythm at the time of stroke diagnosis to undergo in-hospital 7-day Holter monitoring, testing for Pro-BNP, and a standard echocardiographic examination. For statistical analysis, a P-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The average age of the 75 ESUS patients was 58 years old. 60% of the patients were male, and the most prevalent concomitant condition was hypertension (53.3%). Forty patients had atrial cardiopathy, and 15 patients had PAF episodes. Hypertension and the E/e- > 12 were independent predictors of atrial cardiopathy, with p-values of 0.001 and 0.02, respectively. In patients with atrial cardiopathy, multivariable regression analysis was performed; PTFV > 5000 Mv.ms, LA volume index > 34 ml/m2, and ejection fraction < 45% were significant independent predictors of AF with significant p values of 0.001, < 0.001, and 0.001 respectively.

Conclusions: In ESUS patients, atrial cardiopathy was prevalent. Hypertension and an E/e- ratio greater than 12 were independent predictors for it. Multivariable regression analysis identified PTFV1 > 5000 mV.ms, LA volume index > 34 ml/m2, and ejection fraction < 45% as independent predictors for new-onset atrial fibrillation.