title: Atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation detection in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies about continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring in detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in Asian patients with acute ischemic stroke are very limited. We looked for the prevalence and associated factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) and PAF in Thai patients with acute ischemic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 204 patients with acute ischemic stroke were prospectively included. Snapshot 12-lead ECG and continuous ECG monitoring for at least the first 24 hours were performed. Multivariate analyses were performed to find out the associated factors of AF and PAF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AF was diagnosed in 31 patients (15%) and PAF in 15 patients (7%). Twelve and 3 patients with PAF were diagnosed by continuous ECG monitoring and snapshot 12-lead ECG, respectively. Mean duration of continuous ECG monitoring and mean time to detect PAF were 55 and 23 hours, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that age of 70 years or older (odds ratio [OR] 3.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68-7.35, P = .001) and heart diseases (OR 4.26, 95% CI 1.14-15.95, P = .031) were associated with AF and PAF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AF/PAF was one of the common causes of ischemic stroke in Thai patients. Most PAF was detected by continuous ECG monitoring. Snapshot 12-lead ECG and continuous ECG monitoring should be recommended in all patients with acute ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors.forename: Panee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sutamnartpong
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand. Electronic address: pornpatr1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Pornpatr A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Dharmasaroja
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Disya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ratanakorn
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors.forename: IngOrn
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arunakul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asian; Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; Thai; atrial fibrillation; stroke