Key result
Higher epicardial fat thickness (OR 1.968) and serum free fatty acid levels (OR 1.002) were independently associated with the presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Why the study?
Do epicardial fat thickness and free fatty acid levels predict the presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute ischemic stroke?
Observational (n=214)
No
Do epicardial fat thickness and free fatty acid levels predict the presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute ischemic stroke?
Odds Ratio: 1.968 (95% CI 1.19–3.254)
p-value: p=0.008
Increased epicardial fat thickness and serum free fatty acid levels are independent predictors of atrial fibrillation in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke, potentially aiding in the identification of cardioembolic etiology.
May mark AF in acute ischemic stroke; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before clinical adoption.
BACKGROUND: Increased epicardial fat is known to be associated with the presence and chronicity of atrial fibrillation (AF). Free fatty acids (FFAs) are major components of epicardial fat; however, their potential association with AF in ischemic stroke has not been investigated. We aimed to assess the performance of echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and plasma FFA level in identifying patients with ischemic stroke and AF. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 214 consecutive patients (mean age, 66.8 ± 12.3 years; 39.7% women) diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke between March 2011 and June 2014. The patients were divided into two groups: ischemic stroke with AF (n = 35, 16.4%) and ischemic stroke without AF (n = 179, 83.6%). RESULTS: < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High EFT and serum FFA level were associated with ischemic stroke in patients with AF. Echocardiographic EFT and serum FFA level can play a significant role in identifying ischemic stroke with AF.
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Cho et al. (2018) conducted an observational in Acute Ischemic Stroke (n=214). Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) vs. Ischemic stroke without atrial fibrillation was evaluated on Presence of atrial fibrillation (OR 1.968, 95% CI 1.190-3.254, p=0.008). Higher epicardial fat thickness (OR 1.968) and serum free fatty acid levels (OR 1.002) were independently associated with the presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
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