Initial treatment outcome using insertable cardiac monitors in cryptogenic stroke

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cryptogenic stroke (CS) has therapeutic implications. We assessed the initial treatment outcome using insertable cardiac monitors in CS. Methods: We included 15 patients with CS who underwent insertable cardiac monitor placement from December 2016 to November 2017 at our hospital. AF was determined by performing screening tests such as 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter ECG, and continued electrocardiographic monitoring for 3 days. Transesophageal echocardiogram was essential to diagnose CS. We analyzed the parameters of AF and the time at which AF was first detected within 1 year. Results: There were 10 (66%) male patients, and the median age was 68 (interquartile range, 60–76) years. The parameters of AF were not outliers. The detection rate of AF at 12 months was 40%. The median time from onset of stroke to device insertion was 18 (range, 12–29) days, and the median time from device insertion to first AF episode detection was 22 (range, 7–108) days. Conclusion: The detection rate of AF in our hospital was higher than that in previous reports.