Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 11 issue 1 2021
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Low prevalence of atrial fibrillation in ischaemic stroke: Underestimating a modifiable risk factor
Dublin Core
Title
Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 11 issue 1 2021
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Low prevalence of atrial fibrillation in ischaemic stroke: Underestimating a modifiable risk factor
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Low prevalence of atrial fibrillation in ischaemic stroke: Underestimating a modifiable risk factor
Subject
Stroke
Atrial fibrillation
Emergency centre
Screening
LMIC
Atrial fibrillation
Emergency centre
Screening
LMIC
Description
Introduction: Cerebrovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. In
South Africa, it was the fourth leading cause of death in 2016, responsible for 5.1% of all deaths - the leading
cause of death in individuals 65 years and older. Atrial fibrillation accounts for 15% of all strokes and 25% are
diagnosed when patients present with a stroke. We set out to determine the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in
patients with confirmed ischaemic strokes in a district level hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at Mitchells Plain Hospital in Cape Town and data was collected
over a one-year period. Patients diagnosed with a stroke were identified from an electronic patient register and
relevant radiology and clinical data were sourced retrospectively. The diagnosis of ischaemic stroke was
confirmed by a CT scan report and ECGs were independently screened by two Emergency Physicians. Ethical
approval was granted by the University of Cape Town Human Research Ethics Committee [790/2018].
Results: The proportion of adult patients with a stroke diagnosis was 2%. Of the included cases, 80% had
ischaemic strokes and 11% had haemorrhagic strokes. 11% of all patients with ischaemic strokes had atrial
fibrillation, 67% of those presumed new. A total of 60 (15%) of all patients with ischaemic stroke were aged 45
years or younger. The inpatient mortality rate was statistically higher in patients who had atrial fibrillation (26%
vs 7%, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: With the increasing population life expectancy, and prevalence of cardiovascular disease the prevalence
of atrial fibrillation and its complications will increase. Since the risk of stroke related to atrial fibrillation
can be reduced significantly by oral anticoagulation, further studies should aim to explore barriers and challenges
to effective screening.
South Africa, it was the fourth leading cause of death in 2016, responsible for 5.1% of all deaths - the leading
cause of death in individuals 65 years and older. Atrial fibrillation accounts for 15% of all strokes and 25% are
diagnosed when patients present with a stroke. We set out to determine the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in
patients with confirmed ischaemic strokes in a district level hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at Mitchells Plain Hospital in Cape Town and data was collected
over a one-year period. Patients diagnosed with a stroke were identified from an electronic patient register and
relevant radiology and clinical data were sourced retrospectively. The diagnosis of ischaemic stroke was
confirmed by a CT scan report and ECGs were independently screened by two Emergency Physicians. Ethical
approval was granted by the University of Cape Town Human Research Ethics Committee [790/2018].
Results: The proportion of adult patients with a stroke diagnosis was 2%. Of the included cases, 80% had
ischaemic strokes and 11% had haemorrhagic strokes. 11% of all patients with ischaemic strokes had atrial
fibrillation, 67% of those presumed new. A total of 60 (15%) of all patients with ischaemic stroke were aged 45
years or younger. The inpatient mortality rate was statistically higher in patients who had atrial fibrillation (26%
vs 7%, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: With the increasing population life expectancy, and prevalence of cardiovascular disease the prevalence
of atrial fibrillation and its complications will increase. Since the risk of stroke related to atrial fibrillation
can be reduced significantly by oral anticoagulation, further studies should aim to explore barriers and challenges
to effective screening.
Creator
Mohammed Mayet , Kamil Vallabh , Clint Hendrikse
Source
www.elsevier.com/locate/afjem
Publisher
elsevier
Date
27 October 2020
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Citation
Mohammed Mayet , Kamil Vallabh , Clint Hendrikse, “Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol. 11 issue 1 2021
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Low prevalence of atrial fibrillation in ischaemic stroke: Underestimating a modifiable risk factor,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed November 21, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2472.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Low prevalence of atrial fibrillation in ischaemic stroke: Underestimating a modifiable risk factor,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed November 21, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2472.