Rhythm and Stroke: Notes on Atrial Fibrillation | Assessing the AF Effect | MedscapeTV

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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common of the sustained cardiac arrhythmias, and studies predict that the number of people affected could double in Europe by 2060 because of an aging population. Although often asymptomatic, AF can lead to catastrophic consequences: it's known to increase the risk for ischemic stroke nearly fivefold, and strokes associated with AF are more likely than other types to be fatal or leave people disabled. Anticoagulant therapy is highly effective in preventing stroke caused by AF, but only a third of patients with AF are currently receiving these drugs.

Researchers and physicians at the University of Glasgow are investigating strategies to prevent and treat stroke in patients with AF and are questioning why more patients are not receiving such therapies.

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