Transthoracic echocardiography to rule out paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as a cause of stroke or transient ischemic attack

Background and Purpose— We assessed whether echocardiography can predict paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in patients with cerebral ischemia presenting in sinus rhythm. Methods— Within the prospective Find-AF cohort, 193 consecutive patients with cerebral ischemia and sinus rhythm on presentation had evaluation of echocardiographic parameters of left atrial size and function. PAF was diagnosed by 7-day Holter monitoring. Results— In 26 patients with PAF, late diastolic Doppler (A) and tissue Doppler (a′) velocities were lower whereas left atrial diameter, left atrial volume index (LAVI), LAVI/A, and LAVI/a′ were larger ( P Conclusions— LAVI/a′