Frequency of Atrial fibrillation in patients with stroke presenting to tertiary care hospital.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its associated clinical factors among patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke at a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional Observational study. Setting: Ayub Medical Teaching Institute, Abbottabad, a Tertiary Care Hospital. Period: January 20, 2026, to April 22, 2026. Methods: A total of 167 consecutive adults aged ≥18 years with CT- or MRI-confirmed acute ischemic stroke presenting within 7 days of symptom onset were enrolled. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, non-vascular causes, incomplete records, or those who declined consent were excluded. AF was identified through documented medical history and admission 12-lead electrocardiography. Demographic and cardiovascular risk factor data were collected via a structured proforma. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with associations assessed by the Chi-square test. Results: +AF was detected in 38 patients (23%). The overall cohort had a mean age of 65.2 ± 12.4 years, and 58.7% were male. Patients with AF were significantly older (70.1 ± 13.2 vs. 63.8 ± 11.9 years; age >65 years: 68.4% vs. 48.1%, p=0.031). Significant associations with AF were found for diabetes mellitus (52.6% vs. 34.9%, p=0.038) and obesity (34.2% vs. 17.1%, p=0.029). Hypertension was more common in AF patients but did not reach statistical significance (78.9% vs. 63.6%, p=0.082). Sex, smoking, dyslipidemia, and prior stroke showed no significant associations. Conclusion: Nearly one in four ischemic stroke patients in this cohort had AF, with older age and metabolic risk factors such as diabetes and obesity showing strong associations. These findings underscore the importance of targeted cardiac screening to guide anticoagulation and improve secondary stroke prevention.