title: Mechanisms of Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with a high risk of stroke and thromboembolism. Increasing evidence suggests that the thrombogenic tendency inherent to atrial fibrillation is related to several underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, including reduced flow in the left atrium, changes in vessel walls, and changes in blood constituents. This article reviews the mechanisms of stroke, available risk stratification tools and therapies available for prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: The Mount Sinai Medical Center, Cardiovascular Institute, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA; National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain. Electronic address: jose.castellano@mountsinai.org.
authors.forename: Jose Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Castellano
authors.affiliation: The Mount Sinai Medical Center, Cardiovascular Institute, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chinitz
authors.affiliation: The Mount Sinai Medical Center, Cardiovascular Institute, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Willner
authors.affiliation: The Mount Sinai Medical Center, Cardiovascular Institute, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA; National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain.
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fuster
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Cardiac arrhythmia; Stroke; Thromboembolism