After decades of debate, patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is now a well-established strategy to reduce recurrent stroke in patients aged 18–60 years who have had a PFO-associated stroke.1 Patients who underwent PFO closure continue to have a higher stroke risk ...

Welcome to the latest issue of Heart International. We are delighted to bring you another excellent issue, full of the varied and expert articles that you can expect from our authors. We begin with some exciting news. We are delighted ...

Cryptogenic stroke (CS) is a brain infarction that cannot be clearly attributed to cardioembolism, large-vessel atherosclerosis or small artery disease, despite extensive clinical evaluation.1 It represents approximately one-third of all ischaemic strokes worldwide.2 Stroke represents a major public health crisis, ...

Introduction: Cryptogenic stroke (CS) accounts for 30–40% of all ischaemic strokes and there is substantial evidence to suggest arrhythmogenic cardioembolic involvement following the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). CS related to AF are often devastating, with around 70% mortality or significant disability. ...

Globally, a high proportion (around 25%) of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and ischemic strokes are cryptogenic.1,2 The Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification defines a cryptogenic stroke as a brain infarction that is not caused by definite cardioembolism, ...

Introduction: Undetected atrial fibrillation (AF) is suspected as the main cause of stroke in the majority of patients presenting with cryptogenic stroke (CS). Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) are indicated for the detection of AF in these patients. This allows for ...

Introduction: Cryptogenic stroke accounts for 30–40% of ischaemic strokes, and may be due to undetected atrial fibrillation (AF). Conventionally, 24-hour ECG monitoring is used to detect AF after a cryptogenic stroke; however, the CRYSTAL AF trial concluded that insertable cardiac monitoring (...

Introduction: Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR) procedures are now done by allied health professionals in outpatients; however, it is expensive with a single device costing £3,878. This is in spite of limited evidence regarding the diagnostic utility of ILR so we performed ...

Background and aims: Syncope guidelines 2018 recommend further research to estimate the effect of syncope clinics, and establish benefits of the nurse’s role. Data was collected from the nurse-led syncope clinic on the nurse’s effectiveness at risk stratifying for ...