Background and purpose
Our aim in this study was to investigate factors associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in acute stroke patients and to develop a risk score to predict the presence of PAF.
Methods
We retrospectively enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke within 24 h of onset between June 2006 and April 2008. Patients with sustained AF were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of PAF: the PAF group or the non-PAF group. The clinical factors associated with PAF were investigated. Furthermore, we devised a new risk score to predict the presence of PAF.
Results
There were 215 patients enrolled. The PAF group had 32 (14.9 % ) patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that NIHSS score ¡Ý 8 (OR, 4.2; 1.38-12.88), left atrial size ¡Ý 3.8 cm (OR, 4.8; 1.65-13.66), mitral valvular disease (OR, 7.5; 2.17-25.90), and plasma BNP level ¡Ý 144 pg/ml (OR, 12.8; 4.12-40.00) were independent factors associated with PAF. We developed a risk score from these variables (total score 0 to 5): NIHSS score ¡Ý 8 (1 point); left atrial size ¡Ý 3.8 cm (1 point); mitral valvular disease (1 point); and BNP level ¡Ý 144 pg/ml (2 points). The frequency of PAF was 0 % with a score of 0, 4 % with a score of 1, 14 % with a score of 2, 26 % with a score of 3, 50 % with a score of 4 and 100 % with a score of 5
Conclusion
Our simple score can predict the presence of PAF during hospitalization in acute ischemic stroke.
