Cardiology MCQ – Stroke risk in non valvar AF – Answer

Cardiology MCQ – Stroke risk in non valvar AF – Answer

Stroke risk in chronic non valvar atrial fibrillation was increased by — fold in Framingham study:

Correct answer: 2. Five fold

In the same study, chronic AF with rheumatic heart disease had 17 fold increase in stroke risk. The study report had a follow up period of 24 years.

Conventionally non valvar AF is defined as AF in the absence of moderate or severe mitral stenosis or prosthetic valve. Milder degrees of mitral stenosis and other valvular lesions are not excluded from ‘non-valvar’ AF!

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Reference

  1. Wolf PA, Dawber TR, Thomas HE Jr, Kannel WB. Epidemiologic assessment of chronic atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke: the Framingham study. Neurology. 1978 Oct;28(10):973-7.