LAUSR

Recent post-hoc analyses of the NAVIGATE ESUS trial suggested a reduction in stroke recurrence with anticoagulation in a subset of embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS) patients with left atrial enlargement (LAE>4.6 cm). In addition, the recent COMPASS trial demonstrated that anticoagulation using low-dose factor Xa inhibition reduces ischemic stroke in patients with clinically-apparent coronary artery (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Currently, the rates of LAE, CAD and PAD among patients sent for prolonged cardiac monitoring and the impact of earlier screening in a community setting is unknown. We examined the prevalence of LAE and COMPASS eligibility in a prior stroke cohort who underwent prolonged cardiac monitoring (PROCAM) and identified gaps in antithrombotic therapy at the time of discharge. Patients admitted to the stroke unit with a suspected cardioembolic stroke/TIA and completed both 30-day cardiac monitoring and a transthoracic echocardiogram were offered participation in PROCAM within 30 days of stroke onset. A Spiderflash-T ECG or Northeast DR 200 monitoring device programmed for detecting AF was used. The primary outcomes were number of patients with ESUS, AF, LAE and COMPASS eligibility. Antithrombotic therapy at the time of discharge was also assessed. Among 296 patients referred for prolonged cardiac monitoring with a mean (SEM) age of 69 (0.8) and left atrial diameter of 3.6 cm (0.04), 131 patients (44%) were considered to have ESUS at the time of discharge. Among those ESUS patients, 10 patients (7.6%) had moderate to severe LAE (>4.6 cm), comparable rates to those observed in NAVIGATE ESUS. Additionally, 13 ESUS patients (9.9%) met COMPASS eligibility criteria and 16 (12.2%) were found to have AF following 30-day cardiac monitoring. 33 patients with ESUS (25.2%) were found to have either LAE, COMPASS criteria or AF following 30-day cardiac monitoring and were discharged on antiplatelet therapy. In conclusion, this research provides insight into the necessity of comprehensive stroke work-up for heterogeneous ESUS patients, with particular consideration to 30-day cardiac monitoring, LAE and COMPASS criteria, given that 25% of ESUS patients in our community-based cohort may benefit from anticoagulation therapy.