ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND ISCHEMIC STROKE: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATION OF THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIP

Abstract

This paper explores both the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischaemic stroke (IS), and how AF increases the risk of ischaemic stroke and the interdisciplinary approaches to the management of both comorbid conditions.  The results that we obtained highlight that patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an extremely high risk of being exposed to ischaemic stroke (IS) because of thromboembolic events triggered by irregular heart rhythms.  The paper also discusses the impact of the hypercoagulable condition that accompanies AF on the occurrence of strokes where early diagnosis and treatment is essential.  Among the most important factors, we identified the effectiveness of anticoagulation treatment in stroke reduction, the role of rhythm control over rate control measures, and the role of advanced imaging tools in predicting the risk of a stroke in patients with AF.  It is demonstrated by the study as well that the model of providing care to such patients requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves the combination of cardiology, neurology, and stroke rehabilitation knowledge to achieve the most successful outcomes.  Our results complement the understanding of the complex interplay of the pathophysiology between atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischaemic stroke (IS) and suggest the potential therapeutic options that can help to minimise this risk.