Role of hospitalists in the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation for the management of cryptogenic stroke patients.
Cryptogenic strokes are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Identifying the underlying cause of cryptogenic stroke is imperative for appropriate short and long-term management of these patients. In particular, detecting atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke patients may shed insight into the cause of the index stroke, but is also important to identify an important cause of secondary stroke. There is accumulating evidence indicating that monitoring for durations beyond the guideline recommended 30 day-period results in greater atrial fibrillation yield. This article reviews current guidelines and practices for the diagnosis of cryptogenic stroke, as well as outpatient cardiac monitoring options available, and focuses on the role that hospitalists have to play in the care of these patients.
a Department of Medicine , University of California Irvine , Orange , CA , USA.
Alpesh
A
Amin
D000367:Age Factors; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D004562:Electrocardiography; D020445:Hospitalists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
Hospitalists; atrial fibrillation; cardiac monitoring; cryptogenic stroke; secondary stroke prevention