R-Test monitoring following stroke or TIA detected previously unrecognised atrial fibrillation in 21.2% of patients, leading to initiation of oral anticoagulation in 86% of those diagnosed.
Observational
Does R-Test monitoring improve the detection of atrial fibrillation in patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA suspected of a cardioembolic source?
99 consecutive patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA selected based on clinical suspicion of a cardioembolic source
R-Test monitoring
Diagnostic yield of atrial fibrillation detectionsurrogate
R-Test monitoring detected previously unrecognized atrial fibrillation in 21.2% of patients with stroke or TIA suspected of having a cardioembolic source, leading to anticoagulation in the majority.
Abstract Background and aims Undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major contributor to recurrent ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Ambulatory cardiac rhythm monitoring is increasingly used to improve AF detection following cryptogenic or suspected cardioembolic events. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic yield and clinical utility of R-Test monitoring following stroke or TIA. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA who underwent R-Test monitoring over a 12-month period (January–December 2024). Patients were selected based on clinical suspicion of a cardioembolic source. R-Test monitors were applied in a secondary prevention clinic by Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialists with cardiology expertise, and all recordings were reviewed by a stroke consultant and specialist nurse. Results 99 patients were included. Atrial fibrillation was detected in 21 patients (21.2%). Patients with AF were significantly older than those without AF (mean age 76.0 ± 7.1 vs 71.0 ± 12.0 years; p = 0.019). R-Test monitoring demonstrated a specificity of 91% for AF detection. Left atrial enlargement was significantly more prevalent in patients with AF compared with those without AF (38% vs 9%; relative risk ≈ 4; p = 0.004). Detection of AF resulted in initiation of direct oral anticoagulation in 18 patients (86%). Conclusions R-Test monitoring identified a substantial burden of previously unrecognised atrial fibrillation. The strong association between atrial fibrillation and left atrial enlargement highlights the value of integrating structural cardiac markers with ambulatory rhythm monitoring to better target patients at highest cardioembolic risk. Conflict of interest John Drought. Nothing to disclose
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John Drought
Michael Carey
Julianne Kirwan
European Stroke Journal
Trinity College Dublin
St. James's Hospital
Trinity College
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Drought et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Ischaemic stroke or TIA (n=99). R-Test monitoring was evaluated on Detection of atrial fibrillation. R-Test monitoring following stroke or TIA detected previously unrecognised atrial fibrillation in 21.2% of patients, leading to initiation of oral anticoagulation in 86% of those diagnosed.
www.synapsesocial.com/papers/69fd7ef7bfa21ec5bbf074f8 — DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/esj/aakag023.670