UNRAVELLING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AETIOLOGY AND ANTICOAGULATION TRENDS IN STROKE. WHERE DO WE STAND? A STUDY FROM NORTHERN PAKISTAN

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2024 Jul-Sep;36(3):470-4747. doi: 10.55519/JAMC-03-13418.

Abstract

Background: Atrial Fibrillation is a heart arrhythmia causing stroke and associated with many modifiable risk factors. A number of strokes can be prevented by identifying these risk factors and adopting primary prevention and anticoagulation.

Methods: This Cross-Sectional observational study on 160 stroke patients; identified frequency and risk factors of Atrial Fibrillation and their prior anticoagulation status. Correlation of risk factors associated with Atrial Fibrillation in stroke was done through Chi Square test.

Results: Among 160 patients, 72 (45%) were males and 88 (55%) females. Mean age was 64.29±13.44SD with range of 31-92 years. Among patients, 113 (70.6%) had ischemic stroke, and 32(20%) had Atrial Fibrillation. Among risk factors, 136(85%) had hypertension, 37(23.1%) had diabetes, 52(32.5%) had ischemic heart disease, 27(16.9%) had valvular heart disease, 9 (5.6%) had hyperthyroidism, 37 (23.1%) had hyperlipidemia, 17(10.6%) had chronic respiratory disease, 19 (11.9%) were smokers, 61(38.1%) had family history of stroke, 12(7.5%) were obese. Only 8 of 32 with AF (25%) had prior anticoagulation. Correlation analysis of risk factors show ischemic heart disease (p=.000285), rheumatic heart disease (p=.000061), hyperlipidemia (p=.0004), chronic respiratory disease (p=.003175) and smoking (p=.00148) as significantly associated with Atrial Fibrillation.

Conclusions: Ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia, smoking and respiratory disease are significant risk factors for stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. All these factors are modifiable so primary prevention and prophylactic anticoagulation should be emphasized.

Keywords: Atrial Fibrillation; Stroke; Risk factors; Modifiable; Anticoagulation.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticoagulants* / therapeutic use
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / drug therapy
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pakistan / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke* / epidemiology
  • Stroke* / etiology
  • Stroke* / prevention & control

Substances

  • Anticoagulants