TY - JOUR
T1 - Ischemic stroke and the emerging role of left atrial function
AU - Larsen, Bjørn Strøier
AU - Biering-Sørensen, Tor
AU - Olsen, Flemming Javier
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Introduction: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that left atrial (LA) dysfunction could play a role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, as a possible contributor and as a predictive biomarker. Areas covered: This narrative review details the intricate relationship between LA function, atrial fibrillation (AF), and ischemic stroke. We discuss imaging techniques used to assess LA function, the mechanisms by which impaired LA function may contribute to stroke, and its potential as a prognostic marker of stroke. Expert opinion: There is a lack of evidence-based treatments of LA dysfunction in both primary and secondary stroke prevention. This is partly due to the lack of a practical clinical definition and unanswered questions concerning the clinical implications of LA dysfunction in patients without AF. Until such questions are resolved, addressing well-known cardiovascular risk factors, like hypertension and obesity, should be prioritized for preventing AF and ischemic stroke. These risk factors are closely tied to atrial remodeling, emphasizing the importance of targeting primary modifiable factors for preventing future morbidity and mortality.
AB - Introduction: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that left atrial (LA) dysfunction could play a role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, as a possible contributor and as a predictive biomarker. Areas covered: This narrative review details the intricate relationship between LA function, atrial fibrillation (AF), and ischemic stroke. We discuss imaging techniques used to assess LA function, the mechanisms by which impaired LA function may contribute to stroke, and its potential as a prognostic marker of stroke. Expert opinion: There is a lack of evidence-based treatments of LA dysfunction in both primary and secondary stroke prevention. This is partly due to the lack of a practical clinical definition and unanswered questions concerning the clinical implications of LA dysfunction in patients without AF. Until such questions are resolved, addressing well-known cardiovascular risk factors, like hypertension and obesity, should be prioritized for preventing AF and ischemic stroke. These risk factors are closely tied to atrial remodeling, emphasizing the importance of targeting primary modifiable factors for preventing future morbidity and mortality.
KW - Atrial cardiomyopathy
KW - atrial fibrillation
KW - atrial function
KW - cryptogenic stroke
KW - embolic stroke
KW - ischemic stroke
U2 - 10.1080/14779072.2024.2370814
DO - 10.1080/14779072.2024.2370814
M3 - Review
C2 - 38943632
AN - SCOPUS:85197417228
VL - 22
SP - 289
EP - 300
JO - Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
JF - Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
SN - 1477-9072
IS - 7
ER -