Detection of occult paroxysmal atrial fibrilation by implantable long-term electrocardiographic monitoring in cryptogenic stroke and transient ischemic attack population: a study protocol for prospective matched cohort study

BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2015 Dec 3:15:160. doi: 10.1186/s12872-015-0160-8.

Abstract

Background: Cardio-embolic etiology is the most frequently predicted cause of cryptogenic stroke/TIA. Detection of occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is crucial for selection of appropriate medication.

Methods: Enrolment of eligible cryptogenic stroke and TIA patients began in 2014 and will continue until 2018. The patients undergo long-term (12 months) ECG monitoring (implantable loop recorder) and testing for PITX2 (chromosome 4q25) and ZFHX3 (chromosome 16q22) gene mutations. There will be an appropriate control group of age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. To analyse the results descriptive statistics, statistical tests for group differences, and correlation analyses will be used.

Discussion: In our study we are focusing on a possible correlation between detection of atrial fibrillation by an implantable ECG recorder, and PITX2 and/or ZFHX3 gene mutations in cryptogenic stroke/TIA patients. A correlation could lead to implementation of this genomic approach to cryptogenic stroke/TIA diagnostics and management. The results will be published in 2018.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02216370 .

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / diagnosis*
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / methods*
  • Homeobox Protein PITX2
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / complications*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / genetics
  • Matched-Pair Analysis
  • Mutation
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stroke / complications*
  • Stroke / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • ZFHX3 protein, human

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02216370