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Risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation

Authoring team

The determination of echocardiographic and clinical risk factors in a patient permit risk stratification:

Echocardiographic risk factors in patients with atrial fibrillation (1):

  • global left ventricular dysfunction (relative risk 2.6)
  • left atrial diameter 4.7-5.7 cm (relative risk 1.6)
  • left atrial diameter > 5.7 cm (relative risk 2.7)

Clinical risk factors include (1,2):

  • history of hypertension
  • congestive heart failure within past three months
  • diabetes mellitus
  • previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack

The annual percentage incidence of stroke or thromboembolism may be stratified as follows (1):

  • 1.0 for patients with no risk factors
  • 6.0 for patients with one risk factor
  • 18.6 for patients with two or three risk factors

Reference:

  • Lip, GYH. et al. The investigation and non-drug management of atrial fibrillation. BMJ 1995;311: 1562-5.
  • The Practitioner 1999; 243:746-51.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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