title: Atrial Tachycardia in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke: Is there a Need For Anticoagulation?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brief episodes of atrial tachycardia are a common finding in the Holter monitor recordings of elderly patients. Episodes of atrial tachycardia may convert to atrial fibrillation. Current guidelines do not recommend anti-coagulant therapy in patients with atrial tachycardia and risk factors for embolism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the incidence of atrial tachycardia in a 24 hour Holter monitor recording of patients admitted to hospital with ischemic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient cohort included two groups: 134 patients admitted with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke (the study group), and 68 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of syncope (the control group). Both groups used a Holter monitor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the incidence of atrial tachycardia runs between the groups. Patients who suffered a stroke were more likely to be hypertensive (P < 0.05) and more likely to have a CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥ 3 (P = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atrial tachycardia as recorded on a Holter monitor was not more prevalent in patients presenting with ischemic stroke. The occurrence of atrial tachycardia is not an indication for systemic anticoagulation.
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Amram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torjman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013575:Syncope / Q000453:epidemiology; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants