Prevalence of atrial cardiopathy in subtypes of acute ischemic stroke

Background & Objective: Atrial cardiopathy, an abnormal and permanent structural change in atrial tissue, can occur due to inherited factors, exposure to toxins, or cardio-thoracic surgery. Histologically, it may involve myocyte hypertrophy and atrial fibrosis. Atrial electrical remodeling, a consequence of atrial cavity enlargement, leads to irreversible alterations in the density of ion channels, ion currents, and action potential duration. Our study conducted at a single center over 1.5 years examined the prevalence of atrial cardiopathy in different subtypes of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We did a prospective observational single-center study over 1.5 years on 110 acute ischemic stroke patients above 18 year who presented to our hospital with first ever ischemic stroke. These patients underwent assessments for vascular risk factors, routine hematological and biochemical parameters, and neuro- radiological analysis necessary for diagnosing the stroke and determining its underlying causes. The stroke subtype of each patient was defined based on the TOAST classification, utilizing clinical data, radiological images, and investigation findings. Atrial cardiopathy was identified by the presence of any of the following criteria: PTFV1 > 5000 μV-ms, NT-proBNP level > 250 pg/ml, or severe left atrial enlargement (≥ 5.2 cm in men or ≥ 4.7 cm in women). The distribution of atrial cardiopathy within each subgroup was analyzed, and conclusions were drawn concerning the study’s aims and objectives. Results & Conclusion: The indicators of atrial cardiopathy, including atrial diameter, NT-pro BNP level, and PTFV1>5000, were notably higher in the groups with cardio-embolic and undetermined causes compared to the other groups.