Impact of Standardized MONitoring for Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Ischemic Stroke

Impact of Standardized MONitoring for Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Ischemic Stroke

Investigator-initiated prospective randomized multicentre study to uncover the true burden of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a representative population of acute stroke patients without known atrial fibrillation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Acute ischemic stroke or transitory ischemic attack (with clinical deficit on enrolment or MRI detected acute brain lesion on admission)
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Written or oral informed consent
• Stroke unit admission within 72 hours after stroke onset
• Start of standardized prolonged ECG monitoring within 24 hours after admission to the stroke unit
• Willingness to take part in the planned follow up examinations

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known atrial fibrillation
• Atrial fibrillation detected by ECG on admission
• Atrial fibrillation detected prior study enrollment on the stroke unit
• Life expectancy < 1 year (before actual stroke)
• Life expectancy < 1 month (after actual stroke)
• Indication for oral anticoagulation other than atrial fibrillation (e.g. mechanical heart valve)
• Severity level according National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score > 22
• Participation in an interventional trial