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Background and purpose <p>Atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes ≥ 30&#xa0;s are currently considered clinically relevant in stroke diagnostics. However, shorter AF episodes may signal a significant embolic risk, especially in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). This study investigates the prevalence, risk profile, and stroke severity associated with short-duration AF (SDAF &lt; 30&#xa0;s) across ischemic stroke subtypes.</p> Methods <p>We prospectively enrolled 714 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or Transient ischemic attacks who underwent ≥ 48-hour ECG monitoring. AF episodes were classified as 0–14&#xa0;s, 15–29&#xa0;s, or ≥ 30&#xa0;s. Stroke subtypes were defined using TOAST and ESUS criteria. Risk profiles, NIH Stroke Scale scores, and CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores were analyzed by AF duration.</p> Results <p>AF of any duration was detected in 53.8% of patients; 22.8% had episodes ≥ 30&#xa0;s and 29.9% had SDAF. Among ESUS patients, 35.7% exhibited SDAF, and 80.2% of these had CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores ≥ 2. Stroke severity and risk scores were significantly higher in patients with SDAF than those without AF. SDAF was more prevalent in women (37.0%) and in individuals aged &gt; 65 years (89.4%).</p> Conclusions <p>SDAF is common across stroke subtypes—particularly ESUS—and is associated with elevated thromboembolic risk despite falling below current diagnostic thresholds. These findings highlight a diagnostic blind spot in stroke workup and support reevaluation of duration-based criteria for post-stroke AF detection and risk profiling.</p>

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Short-duration atrial fibrillation in ischemic stroke: high risk despite subclinical burden-a prospective cohort study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月20日

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  • Priyanka Boettger,
  • Karolis Macius,
  • Jamschid Sedighi,
  • Henning Lemm,
  • Kerstin Piayda,
  • Bernhard Unsoeld,
  • Samuel Sossalla,
  • Omar Alhaj Omar,
  • Martin Juenemann,
  • Michael Buerke

摘要

Background and purpose

Atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes ≥ 30 s are currently considered clinically relevant in stroke diagnostics. However, shorter AF episodes may signal a significant embolic risk, especially in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). This study investigates the prevalence, risk profile, and stroke severity associated with short-duration AF (SDAF < 30 s) across ischemic stroke subtypes.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 714 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or Transient ischemic attacks who underwent ≥ 48-hour ECG monitoring. AF episodes were classified as 0–14 s, 15–29 s, or ≥ 30 s. Stroke subtypes were defined using TOAST and ESUS criteria. Risk profiles, NIH Stroke Scale scores, and CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores were analyzed by AF duration.

Results

AF of any duration was detected in 53.8% of patients; 22.8% had episodes ≥ 30 s and 29.9% had SDAF. Among ESUS patients, 35.7% exhibited SDAF, and 80.2% of these had CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores ≥ 2. Stroke severity and risk scores were significantly higher in patients with SDAF than those without AF. SDAF was more prevalent in women (37.0%) and in individuals aged > 65 years (89.4%).

Conclusions

SDAF is common across stroke subtypes—particularly ESUS—and is associated with elevated thromboembolic risk despite falling below current diagnostic thresholds. These findings highlight a diagnostic blind spot in stroke workup and support reevaluation of duration-based criteria for post-stroke AF detection and risk profiling.