TY - JOUR

T1 - Ischemic stroke and the emerging role of left atrial function

AU - Larsen, Bjørn Strøier

AU - Biering-Sørensen, Tor

AU - Olsen, Flemming Javier

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - Introduction: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that left atrial (LA) dysfunction could play a role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, as a possible contributor and as a predictive biomarker. Areas covered: This narrative review details the intricate relationship between LA function, atrial fibrillation (AF), and ischemic stroke. We discuss imaging techniques used to assess LA function, the mechanisms by which impaired LA function may contribute to stroke, and its potential as a prognostic marker of stroke. Expert opinion: There is a lack of evidence-based treatments of LA dysfunction in both primary and secondary stroke prevention. This is partly due to the lack of a practical clinical definition and unanswered questions concerning the clinical implications of LA dysfunction in patients without AF. Until such questions are resolved, addressing well-known cardiovascular risk factors, like hypertension and obesity, should be prioritized for preventing AF and ischemic stroke. These risk factors are closely tied to atrial remodeling, emphasizing the importance of targeting primary modifiable factors for preventing future morbidity and mortality.

AB - Introduction: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that left atrial (LA) dysfunction could play a role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, as a possible contributor and as a predictive biomarker. Areas covered: This narrative review details the intricate relationship between LA function, atrial fibrillation (AF), and ischemic stroke. We discuss imaging techniques used to assess LA function, the mechanisms by which impaired LA function may contribute to stroke, and its potential as a prognostic marker of stroke. Expert opinion: There is a lack of evidence-based treatments of LA dysfunction in both primary and secondary stroke prevention. This is partly due to the lack of a practical clinical definition and unanswered questions concerning the clinical implications of LA dysfunction in patients without AF. Until such questions are resolved, addressing well-known cardiovascular risk factors, like hypertension and obesity, should be prioritized for preventing AF and ischemic stroke. These risk factors are closely tied to atrial remodeling, emphasizing the importance of targeting primary modifiable factors for preventing future morbidity and mortality.

KW - Atrial cardiomyopathy

KW - atrial fibrillation

KW - atrial function

KW - cryptogenic stroke

KW - embolic stroke

KW - ischemic stroke

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85197417228&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/14779072.2024.2370814

DO - 10.1080/14779072.2024.2370814

M3 - Review

C2 - 38943632

AN - SCOPUS:85197417228

JO - Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy

JF - Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy

SN - 1477-9072

ER -