Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCross-sectional study
Association of non-invasive atrial cardiomyopathy markers with cerebral stroke lesions: a population-based analysis from the Hamburg City Health Study
- Cross-sectional study
- population-based
Authors' conclusion
The incremental diagnostic value of AtCM markers beyond clinical risk factors for MRI-defined cerebral lesions is limited, likely reflecting the heterogeneous aetiology of stroke lesions in a general population cohort.
Study context
- Population
- Hamburg City Health Study participants with cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), baseline 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and TTE in sinus rhythm
- Participants
- 1,794 participants
- Exposure
- Non-invasive atrial cardiomyopathy markers (ECG, TTE, blood biomarkers) added to clinical risk factors vs clinical risk factor model alone
- Outcome
- Incremental diagnostic value of atrial cardiomyopathy markers beyond clinical risk factors for stroke lesions on MRI
Main finding
Stroke lesions on MRI
ΔAUC
0.03
95% CI 0.0001–0.0594
As reported in the abstract
- Stroke lesions present
- 152 participants (8.5%)
- Independent predictor in combined model: CHA2DS2-VA score, OR per point
- 1.95 (95% CI 1.49-2.55, P < 0.001)
- Independent predictor in combined model: P-wave area in lead II, OR per 100 µV·ms
- 0.99 (95% CI 0.98-1.00, P = 0.031)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Univariable associations with stroke lesions
- Male sex, prior atrial fibrillation (AF) and higher CHA2DS2-VA score significantly associated
- Atrial cardiomyopathy (AtCM) markers significant: Amplified P-wave duration (APWD), P-wave area in lead II, PR interval, LA volume index, LA EF, NT-proBNP
Original publication
Association of non-invasive atrial cardiomyopathy markers with cerebral stroke lesions: a population-based analysis from the Hamburg City Health Study. Europace. Published 27 March 2026. doi:10.1093/europace/euag063
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it