Correlations between echocardiographic parameters and cardiovascular risk factors for stroke incidence in non-valvular AF

Abstract

Our retrospective, cross-sectional study was aimed to determine a general profile of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) ambulatory patients, by identifying echocardiographic parameters and risk factors associated with cardioembolic stroke. 156 patients with previously diagnosed NVAF were selected from an Ambulatory Cardiology Praxis database. We applied the CHA2SDS2_VASC and HASBLED scores and analyzed 3 echocardiographic parameters (LAV, LVEDV and LVEF%), the presence of carotid atheromatosis and coronary artery disease and evaluated the lipidic profile and HbA1c. LAV, LVEDV and LVEF% were associated with cardioembolic stroke in NVAF (especially LVEDV), and also with ischemic heart failure (LAV in particular). Altered lipidic profile, presence of coronary artery disease and diabetes were also important indicators for incident stroke in NVAF. Further large cohort studies are necessary to develop a risk stratification chart for cardioembolic stroke based on these parameters in patients with NVAF.