Risk factors for recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation

Objective To investigate the risk factors for recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods The ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation were enrolled retrospectively. Their demographic and clinical data were collected. The relative risk factors for strokes were compared in the first-ever stroke group and the recurrent stroke group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Results A total of 504 ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation were enrolled, including 245 males (48.6%). and 259 females (51.4%). The average age was 76.67±8.26 years. There were 314 patients (62.3%) in the first-ever stroke group and 190 (37.7%) in the recurrent stroke group. The proportions of hypertension (78.9% vs. 69.4%; χ2=5.446, P=0.020), diabetes mellitus (38.9% vs. 26.8%; χ2=8.181, P=0.004), and age >75 years (68.9% vs. 60.2%; χ2=3.915, P=0.048), as well as the baseline systolic blood pressure (153.30±26.02 mmHg vs. 148.13±26.40 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa; t=-2.141, P=0.033) in the recurrent stroke were significantly higher than those in the first-ever stroke group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 1.734, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.121-2.682; P=0.013), diabetes (OR 1.757, 95% CI 1.188-2.597; P=0.005), and age >75 years (OR 1.680, 95% CI 1.132-2.494; P=0.010) were the independent risk factors for recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Conclusion Hypertension, diabetes, and age >75 years were the independent risk factors for recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Key words: Stroke; Brain Ischemia; Atrial Fibrillation; Recurrence; Risk Factors