Researchers develop new tool to reduce stroke risk

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have developed a new way of identifying patients at risk of an irregular heartbeat, known as ‘atrial fibrillation’. While not life-threatening, the condition increases people’s risk of having a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke by up to five times.

A new study, published recently reveals four specific factors that can predict which patients will have atrial fibrillation. These include older age, higher diastolic blood pressure, and problems with both the coordination and function of the upper left chamber of the heart.

The team went on to create an easy tool for doctors to use in practice to identify those at high risk. And they hope that this will help diagnose and treat more patients, reducing their risk of future strokes. The research team collected data from 323 patients across the East of England, treated at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who had had a stroke with no cause identified- known as Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source.

They analyzed medical records as well as data from prolonged heart rhythm monitoring. They also studied their echocardiograms.

Prof Vassilios Vassiliou said: “We determined how many of these patients were found to have atrial fibrillation up to three years following their stroke, and went on to perform a thorough assessment to identify if there are specific parameters that are connected with atrial fibrillation identification.

Reference: Atrial Fibrillation in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Role of advanced imaging of left atrial function, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology