Is the Lesion Pattern on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Associated With Atrial Fibrillation?

Detailed Summary

The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to investigate the relationship between lesion pattern on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and atrial fibrillation in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The investigators hypothesize that a pattern with lesions located in at least two of the main arterial territories of the brain (left or right internal carotid artery or posterior circulation territory) is associated with atrial fibrillation. The investigators will retrospectively analyze clinical data and imaging lesion pattern of 1000 consecutive patients who were admitted to the Department of Neurology (Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin) and diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke. Acute stroke patients of this cohort underwent 3-Tesla MRI with Diffusion-weighted Imaging (DWI) and Fluid-attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) sequences as well as standard 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) on admission and cardiac monitoring with automated arrhythmia detection during stroke unit care lasting at least 24 hours. If DWI and FLAIR lesions are located in more than one of the main arterial territories, lesion pattern will be categorized as "multiple lesion pattern". The investigators hypothesize that a multiple lesion pattern will be detected more frequently in acute stroke patients with atrial fibrillation than in patients without atrial fibrillation. The findings of this study might help to identify patients who could profit from extended diagnostic work-up in order to detect atrial fibrillation.

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