B2AD-Risk AFDAS – Evolution of Burden of AF, Biomarkers, Left Atrial Characteristics, Demographics, and Risk Factors in AF Detected After Stroke
Project Overview
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder. Its name comes from the fibrillation (i.e. quivering) of the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart instead of a coordinated contraction, causing a rapid, irregular heart rate. This irregular contraction is ineffective, leading to the development clots in the heart. These clots can travel through the bloodstream until they get stuck in a brain artery. Millions of brain cells that depend on the oxygen supplied by the blocked artery die within minutes. This is known as a stroke. Strong blood thinners known as anticoagulants can lower stroke risk by 64% in AF patients when the AF is detected on an electrocardiogram (ECG) or if it is detected on a heart monitor. Recent information has shown that using cardiac monitors in stroke patients significantly increases AF detection. This new evidence has result in a substantial increase in the use of cardiac monitors do detect AF in stroke patients. Consequently, 1.5 million of stroke patients are newly diagnosed with AF each year globally. AF detected in stroke patient seems to be different from that detected in non-stroke individuals. However, because cardiac monitors are a fairly new technology, very little is known about AF detected in stroke patients and how bad it can be. In this study, we plan to implant very small cardiac monitors under the skin of 24 stroke patients who were recently diagnosed with AF to understand more about the behavior of these irregular heartbeats. We will also do regular blood tests every 4 months during two years and we will run cardiac tests at the beginning and end of the study to know how a newly detected AF affects the heart. This will allow us to plan larger studies to identify better treatments in the larger studies.
Principal Investigator
Luciano Sposato , Western University
Partners and Donors
Canadian Stroke Consortium
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada