What is the epidemiologic burden of stroke associated with AF?
Individuals with AF have increased risk of stroke (fourfold to fivefold increase), HF (twofold to threefold fold increase), and mortality (twofold increase) (see e-Appendix 1). Patients with AF also experience higher rates of morbidity and hospital admissions, as well as early dementia. The high AF-attributable risk of stroke, especially in the elderly, is evident since at least 1 in 3 to 4 individuals with an ischemic stroke, and > 80% of those with ischemic stroke of cardioembolic subtype, also have AF.