Deep phenotyping of left atrial characteristics: sphericity and stiffness stratify patients with atrial fibrillation and cardioembolic stroke.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Cardioembolic stroke (CES) comprises a high proportion of ischaemic stroke, and atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor. Novel left atrial (LA) parameters of stiffness and sphericity, have been posited as markers of atrial cardiomyopathy, that often manifests as stroke and AF. We sought to comprehensively evaluate LA parameters in patients with different grades of AF who suffered CES compared to AF patients without history of stroke.

Methods

Consecutive CES patients who presented to our tertiary institute were prospectively recruited; 155 CES patients were classified by rhythm: sinus rhythm (n = 30), paroxysmal AF (PAF, n = 88), and permanent AF (perAF, n = 37). Patients with AF and no prior stroke (AF-NS) were simultaneously recruited (PAF n = 77, perAF n = 

SUBMITTER: Clark A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12628483 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature