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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.

This study will assess if it is possible to organize a large clinical trial comparing the use of long-term vs. shorter-term heart monitoring. We will evaluate 24 patients in the same way we plan to evaluate a larger number of participants (>1000) in a future study. This will allow us to learn if such a study is possible, identify potential implementation challenges, and develop strategies to overcome those difficulties.

Principal Investigator

Luciano Sposato , Western University

Partners and Donors

Canadian Stroke Consortium

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Project Ongoing

B2AD-Risk AFDAS – Evolution of Burden of AF, Biomarkers, Left Atrial Characteristics, Demographics, and Risk Factors in AF Detected After Stroke

  • Grant Type

    Team grants

  • Area of research

    Injury

  • Disease Area

    Stroke

  • Competition

    Canadian Stroke Consortium-Brain Canada-Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 2022 Stroke Clinical Research Catalyst Grants

  • Province

    Ontario

  • Start Date

    2022

  • Total Grant Amount

    $100,000

Contact Us

1200 McGill College Avenue
Suite 1600, Montreal, Quebec
H3B 4G7

+1 (514) 989-2989 info@braincanada.ca

Please note all online donations will receive an electronic tax receipt, issued by Brain Canada Foundation.

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Territorial acknowledgement

The offices of Brain Canada Foundation are located on the traditional, ancestral territory of the Kanien'kehá:ka Peoples, a place which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations. We honour and pay respect to elders past, present and emerging, and dedicate ourselves to moving forward in the spirit of partnership, collaboration, and reconciliation. In our work, we focus our efforts on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, particularly those that pertain to improving health for Indigenous Peoples and that focus on advancing our own learning on Indigenous issues.

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Registration number: 89105 2094 RR0001

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  • About
    • What We Do
    • EDI Action Plan
    • Leadership
    • Team
    • Annual Report
    • Publications
    • Careers
  • Brain Conditions
    • One Brain
    • ALS
    • Autism (ASD)
    • Brain Cancer
    • Brain Injury
    • Dementia
    • Epilepsy
    • Mental Illness
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Parkinson’s
    • Stroke
    • More
  • Research
    • Programs
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Program Partners
    • Announcements
  • Impact
    • Research Impact Stories
    • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Brain Health in Indigenous Communities
    • Women’s Brain Health
    • Mind Over Matter
  • How You Can Help
    • Ways to Give
    • Start a Fundraiser
    • Workplace Giving
    • The Great Minds
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