Secondary prognosis after cardioembolic stroke of atrial origin: The role of left atrial and left atrial appendage dysfunction

Abstract

Patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation and first atrial origin cardioembolic stroke are at increased risk for recurrence if severe dysfunction of the left atrial appendage is present and if they do not receive warfarin treatment. Patients with sinus rhythm and first atrial origin cardioembolic stroke form a small stroke subgroup, in which recurrences are accompanied by a remarkably high death rate.