[Effects of atrial fibrillation on clinical outcome of cerebral ischemic stroke].

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmia met in clinical practice. Nonregular heart rhythm leads to haemodynamic disturbances and favors thromboembolic complications--most frequently ischemic strokes. Cardioembolic strokes have different symptomatology compared with atherothrombotic strokes. They are characterised by more sudden onset, frequent haemorrhagic transformation and worse prognosis. Until now there is no clear explanation of unfavourable course of stroke in these patients. Concomitant diseases and sudden artery closure in subjects with undeveloped collateral circulation are considered as resulting in more extensive infarct size. Also impact of different forms of atrial fibrillation on the course of cerebrovascular events is not established. Paroxysmal and chronic atrial fibrillation have different influence on haemodynamic and hemostatic parameters what may play an important role in course of acute phase of ischemic stroke. Based on the results of clinical and preclinical studies, the set of data concerning the effects of different forms of atrial fibrillation on acute stroke outcome and actual guidelines of cardioembolic acute stroke treatment are presented.