Cerebrovascular Division, Department of Medicine, National Cardiovascular Centre, Kawasaki Medical School, 557 Matsushima, Kurashiki City, Okayama 701–0192, Japan

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr K Kimura
Cerebrovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, 557 Matsushima, Kurashiki City, Okayama 701–0192, Japan; kimurak{at}med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia and a major risk factor for stroke.

Aims: To assess whether AF in patients with acute ischaemic stroke is associated with severe stroke and early death.

Materials/methods: Patients with acute ischaemic stroke (15 831) who were registered in the Japan Multicenter Stroke Investigators’ Collaboration registry were analysed. The AF group comprised 3335 (21.1%) patients (median age, 75 years) and the non-AF group comprised 12 496 (78.9%) patients (median age, 70 years). The association between AF and severe stroke and early death was investigated by means of multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: The admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of the AF group was higher than that of the non-AF group (median, 12 v 5; p < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that female sex, advanced age, AF, and a history of stroke were independent factors associated with severe stroke (NIHSS score, 11). The mortality rate within 28 days after admission was 11.3% in the AF group and 3.4% in the non-AF group (p < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified older age, AF, and NIHSS score at admission as independent factors associated with early death.

Conclusion: AF was a predictive factor for severe stroke and early death in acute ischaemic stroke. Careful cardiac evaluation and appropriate treatment are needed to improve outcome in patients with acute stroke and AF.

Abbreviations: AF, atrial fibrillation; CI, confidence interval; ECG, electrocardiography; J-MUSIC, Japan Multicenter Stroke Investigators’ Collaboration; mRS, modified Rankin scale; NIHSS, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; OR, odds ratio; TIA, transient ischaemic attack

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