Smaller right vagus nerve cross-sectional area on carotid ultrasonography was an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (OR 0.33).
Observational (n=133)
Single-blind
No
Smaller right vagus nerve cross-sectional area measured by carotid ultrasonography is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.
Odds Ratio: 0.33 (95% CI 0.12–0.91)
p-value: p=0.03
INTRODUCTION: The autonomic nervous system, including the vagus nerve, is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the association between the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vagus nerve on ultrasound and the presence of AF has not been fully clarified. This study investigated the association between vagus nerve CSA and the presence of AF in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 150 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Vagus nerve CSA was evaluated by carotid ultrasonography on the axial view at the thyroid gland level. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to examine the association between vagus nerve CSA and AF. RESULTS: = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference in median left vagus nerve CSA. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that log transformed and quintiled brain natriuretic peptide level (odds ratio OR, 5.03; 95% confidence interval CI, 2.43-10.40) and right vagus nerve CSA (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.91) were independent predictors of AF. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Smaller right vagus nerve CSA in carotid ultrasonography was an independent predictor of AF in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, suggesting that patients with small right vagus nerve CSA should be closely monitored for development of AF.
Oura et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (n=133). Right vagus nerve cross-sectional area was evaluated on Presence of atrial fibrillation (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.91, p=0.03). Smaller right vagus nerve cross-sectional area on carotid ultrasonography was an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (OR 0.33).