Longer duration of electrocardiographic monitoring after cryptogenic stroke is associated with a greater detection of AF .
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is a major cause of stroke .
Although st and ard investigations after an event include electrocardiographic monitoring , the optimal duration to detect AF is unclear .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis to determine whether the duration of electrocardiographic monitoring after an ischemic event is related to the detection of AF .
Diagnostic and therapeutic impact of ambulatory electrocardiography in acute stroke.
UNLABELLED Detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( PAF ) in patients with recent ischemic stroke or TIA suggests a cardioembolic etiology and leads to initiation of oral anticoagulation in suitable c and i date s. We assessed the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of adding ambulatory electrocardiography ( 24 hr ECG ) to a st and ardised ischemic stroke workup . METHODS We measured the frequency of detection of PAF in consecutive stroke patients who underwent 24 hr ECG that was not diagnosed clinical ly or on a st and ard 12-lead ECG .  RESULTS One hundred forty five ischemic stroke patients were included . 24 hr  ECG  was obtained in 136 patients ( 93.8 % ) . Clinical ly unsuspected PAF was detected on 24 hr ECG in 7 patients ( 5.1 % ) . The secondary prevention measure changed from antiplatelet agents to oral anticoagulation in 6 of 7 patients . CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that  ambulatory electrocardiography  is a valuable diagnostic tool in the workup of stroke patients . Further prospect i ve studies are needed to identify , subtypes of patients in whom the yield of  ambulatory electrocardiography  is higher
Longer duration of electrocardiographic monitoring after cryptogenic stroke is associated with a greater detection of AF .
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is a major cause of stroke .
Although st and ard investigations after an event include electrocardiographic monitoring , the optimal duration to detect AF is unclear .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis to determine whether the duration of electrocardiographic monitoring after an ischemic event is related to the detection of AF .