London

Findings Could Prevent Strokes

It's hoped that new findings by London-based researchers will save the lives of people who have had a stroke or a mini-stroke, known medically as a transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Scientists analyzed patient data for almost 12,000 people and say they've found a need for more extensive testing for heart rhythm disturbances. They discovered that by using multiple methods of cardiac rhythm detection, almost 24% of patients with no previous issues will have atrial fibrillation, or heart rhythm disturbances. That's more than twice as high as estimates from previous studies, based on only one or two methods of diagnosis. Detection of heart rhythm problems is necessary to prevent more strokes and mini-strokes in these patients.

Dr. Luciano Sposato, an associate professor of Neurology at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and lead author on the study, hopes the medical community will take note of the study's results.

“My hope is that physicians treating stroke patients will be more aware about the importance of pursuing more intensive cardiac monitoring for patients following stroke,” says Sposato. “This may have a direct impact on the number of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and the number of stroke survivors receiving oral anticoagulants to prevent further strokes.”

The full study was published by Lancet Neurology. 

Read More Local Stories