Risk and prevention of atrial fibrillation of non-valvular origin

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. In patients with AF, cardioembolias present about 10% of ischemic strokes. Transesophageal echocardiography is an ideal instrument for diagnostics of intracardiac thrombi. An aim of the study was to find the high risk markers for stroke in patients with AF of non-valvular origin. The patients have been divided into 2 groups with and without stroke in anamnesis. To search for stroke dependence of clinical and echocardiographic high risk markers, the data were analyzed using Poly Analyst Power statistical package. In the group of the patients with stroke in the anamnesis, echocardiographic markers for high risk of thromboembolia occurred significantly more frequently. Thrombi in the left atrial or its appendage were registered in 12.5% patients without stroke in anamnesis and in 31% of those, who survived stroke. The independent risk factors for stroke were age, AF duration, left ventricular ejection fraction, diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension.