Cryptogenic stroke. Part 3: atrial cardiopathy and silent atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial cardiopathy (AC) and silent atrial fibrillation (AF) are potential causes of embolic cryptogenic stroke (embolic stroke of undetermined source, ESUS) timely diagnosis of which can significantly change the direction of secondary prevention and reduce the risk of repeated brain catastrophe. The article discusses clinical and radiological markers of cardioembolism, the concept of atrial cardiopathy, its electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and serum markers, as well as the possibility of drug prophylaxis of recurrent stroke. The most applicable AC features in daily operation are the ECG data (p-wave terminal force in lead V1 > 5000 μV x ms, supraventricular extrasystoles and advanced interatrial block), 24-hour ECG monitoring (≥ 480 supraventricular extrasystoles per 24-hour, paroxysms of supraventricular tachycardia ≥ 20 complexes), transthoracic (diameter of left atrium > 40 mm, index of diameter of left atrium ≥ 3 cm/m2, index of volume of left atrium > 34 ml/m2) and transesophageal echocardiography (spontaneous echo contrast phenomenon, blood flow rate in LA appendage <20 cm/s) and NT-proBNP concentration > 250 pg/ml. An individual, interdisciplinary decision to prescribe an anticoagulant when combined: (1) the presence of structural and functional AC markers, (2) cardioembolic pattern of a cerebral infarction or intracranial artery occlusion by visualization data and (3) high thromboembolic risk and probability of detection of AF on assessment scales (CHA2DS2-VASc, AF-ESUS and C2HEST). The greatest benefit of prescribing anticoagulant therapy can be obtained by patients with recurrent ESUS in whom sufficient secondary prevention and expressed AC, typical cardioembolism imaging pattern and high risk of thromboembolic events have already been achieved.