Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyResearch article
Prevalence of clinically significant bradyarrhythmias in patients implanted with loop recorders for cryptogenic stroke: A manifestation of atrial cardiomyopathy?
- retrospectively analyzed
- 1:1 propensity score matching
Authors' conclusion
Patients with CS show a significantly higher and earlier incidence of clinically relevant SND than matched controls, which may suggest an underlying atrial remodeling process consistent with atrial cardiomyopathy. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive arrhythmic monitoring beyond AF in this population.
Study context
- Population
- Patients implanted with implantable loop recorders (ILRs) after cryptogenic stroke (CS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) compared with a matched control population with ILRs for other indicationspatients receiving ILRs, propensity-matched n = 114 · CS/TIA 139 · other indications excluding syncope 86
- Participants
- 225 patients
- Comparison
- patients implanted with ILRs after CS or transient ischemic attack (TIA) compared with a matched control population with ILRs for other indications
- CS/TIAn = 139
- other indicationsn = 86
- Outcome
- time to the first detection of clinically significant sinus node dysfunction (SND)
- Follow-up
- Median 23 months
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
P = 0.003
Further findings
SND after propensity score matching (n = 114) · more prevalent in patients with stroke · propensity score matched
P = 0.04
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Event-free survival for SND (Kaplan-Meier) · significantly lower event-free survival in the CS group | log-rank P = .034 |
Predictors of sinus node dysfunction (SND) (univariate analysis)
- CS/TIA odds ratio
- 3.14; 95% confidence interval 1.02-9.64; P = .045
- hypertension and increased indexed left atrial volume identified as independent predictors of SND
Original publication
Prevalence of clinically significant bradyarrhythmias in patients implanted with loop recorders for cryptogenic stroke: A manifestation of atrial cardiomyopathy? Heart Rhythm. Published 8 January 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.01.011
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it