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AFib and Stroke: Nearly 1/3 of strokes are caused by AFib1
How are AFib and stroke related?
Stroke is a serious complication of AFib that is associated with long term disability and mortality. Immediately after a stroke, patients with AFib have greater neurologic impairment and functional disability than patients without AFib.2
A stroke occurs when the flow of blood to part of the brain is significantly reduced or blocked.3,4 The most common cause of a stroke is a blood clot (ischemic stroke).
How does stroke impact quality of life?
The occurrence of stroke can have a devastating impact on patient quality of life and the ability to perform daily activities. Stroke can cause significant impairment in physical, psychological, and social function, and can reduce a patient’s ability to carry out routine activities.5,6
How can I reduce my stroke risk?
Talk to an electrophysiologist about ways to reduce your risk of stroke. Some options may include blood thinners, left atrial appendage or catheter ablation. AFib patients treated with catheter ablation experience fewer strokes within three years following treatment, compared to those who did not receive ablation.7
1. Kathrin Hahne, Gerold Mönnig, and Alexander Samol. 2016. Atrial fibrillation and silent stroke: links, risks, and challenges. 2016; 12: 65–74.
2. Hannon N, Sheehan O, Kelly L, Marnane M, Merwick A et al. (2010) Stroke associated with atrial fibrillation--incidence and early outcomes in the north Dublin population stroke study. Cerebrovasc Dis 29 (1): 43-49.
3. Understand Stroke. www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke. . Accessed July 2019.
4. Harvard Heart Letter, Stroke risk when you have AFib, Harvard Medical School, 2015. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/stroke-risk-when-you-have-atrial-fibrillation.
5. Hillis AE, Tippett DC (2014) Stroke Recovery: Surprising Influences and Residual Consequences. Advances in Medicine 2014 1-10.
6. Lo Buono V, Corallo F, Bramanti P, Marino S (2017) Coping strategies and health-related quality of life after stroke. J Health Psychol 22 (1): 16-28.
7. Barra S, Baran J, Narayanan K, et al. Association of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation with mortality and stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2018 Intl Journal of Cardiol 266: 136-142.
THERMOCOOL® Catheters are approved for drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, when used with CARTO® 3 Systems (excluding NAVISTAR® RMT THERMOCOOL®Catheter).
Caution: US law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. Important information: Prior to use, refer to the instructions for use supplied with this device for indications, contraindications, side effects, warnings and precautions.
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