Introduction:

It has been shown that one in three ischemic cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) is a consequence of unknown and, therefore, untreated atrial fibrillation (AF). That is why timely diagnosis and treatment of AF is of vital importance since ischemic stroke is a frequent reason for hospital admission.

Objectives:

To determine the clinical characteristics of patients with ischemic stroke and AF hospitalized at Hospital XX, during 2021 and 2022.

Methodology:

An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study was carried out. Male and female adult patients, with AF and ischemic stroke confirmed by electrocardiogram and tomography were included. The variables were obtained from the clinical records. The research study was approved by the ethics committee of the National University of Itapúa.

Results:

One hundred thirteen patients were studied. The mean age was 69 ± 10 years, and 54.87% (62) were men. Among the risk factors, 96.46% were known to have arterial hypertension, and 61.06% were known to have diabetes mellitus. An echocardiogram was performed in 24 (21%) patients, 14 had atrial dilation, with a mean of 44 ± 8 mm, and 11 of these had mitral stenosis. The mean heart rate was 92 ± 18 beats/min. Ischemic stroke occurred as a debut in 52.21% and of these, only 7.08% were known to have AF. Among known AF carriers, 7.08% received anticoagulation with acenocoumarol. No patients were found being treated with other anticoagulants.

Conclusion:

AF was diagnosed in 22.12% of patients with ischemic stroke. Approximately one-third of AF patients on anticoagulation regimens did not achieve therapeutic ranges or a controlled heart rate.

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