Stroke Patients with Sinus Rhythm and Atrial Fibrillation:Comparison of Echocardiography Findings

Abstract

Aim: To compare the echocardiographic findings in stroke patients with sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Materials and Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Emergency Medicine, Adiyaman University Education and Research Hospital, from January 2014 to December 2016. Four hundred and sixty-seven subsequent stroke patients were admitted to the study. Data included demographic and echocardiographic findings. Patients are divided into the AF and sinus rhythm groups. Categorical variables were analyzed with the Fischer's Exact Test and parametric variables with the Independent Samples T Test.

Results: AF patients with stroke had a significantly lower ejection fraction, decreased left ventricular function, increased left ventricular diameters, systolic dysfunction, mitral valve insufficiency, and tricuspid valve insufficiency.

Conclusion: AF patients with stroke had a significantly lower ejection fraction, decreased left ventricular function, increased left ventricular diameters, systolic dysfunction, mitral valve insufficiency, and tricuspid valve insufficiency. AF should not be considered as a major cardiac risk factor for stroke. AF may be a consequence of multifactorial cardiac abnormalities that may have a causative effect for stroke.