UEA researchers develop new tool to reduce stroke risk

Published by  Communications

On 28th Aug 2023

A graphic of a heartbeat on an ECG monitor.
Getty images.

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have developed a new way of identifying patients at risk of an irregular heartbeat, known as ‘atrial fibrillation’.

While not life threatening, the condition increases people’s risk of having a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke by up to five times. 

A new study, published today, reveals four specific factors that can predict which patients will have atrial fibrillation. 

These include older age, higher diastolic blood pressure and problems with both the coordination and function of the upper left chamber of the heart.

The team went on to create an easy tool for doctors to use in practice to identify those at high risk.

And they hope that this will help diagnose and treat more patients, reducing their risk of future strokes.

Lead researcher Prof Vassilios Vassiliou, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said: “Identifying who is at high risk and more likely to develop atrial fibrillation is very important. 

“This is because it requires specific treatment with anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners, to reduce the risk of future strokes.

“Patients who have had a stroke usually undergo multiple investigations to determine the cause of the stroke, as this can influence the treatment they receive long-term. 

“These investigations include prolonged monitoring of the heart rhythm with a small implantable device called a loop recorder, and an ultrasound of the heart, called an echocardiogram.”

The research team collected data from 323 patients across the East of England, treated at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who had had a stroke with no cause identified- known as Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source.

They analysed medical records as well as data from prolonged heart rhythm monitoring. They also studied their echocardiograms.

Prof Vassiliou said: “We determined how many of these patients were found to have atrial fibrillation up to three years following their stroke, and went on to perform a thorough assessment to identify if there are specific parameters that are connected with atrial fibrillation identification. 

“We identified four parameters that were linked with the development of atrial fibrillation, which were consistently present in patients that had this arrhythmia.

"We then developed a model that can be used to predict who will show atrial fibrillation in the next three years, and is therefore at increased risk of another stroke in the future.” 

“This is a very easy tool that any doctor can use in clinical practice,” he added. 

“And it can potentially help doctors provide more targeted and effective treatment to these patients, ultimately aiming to highlight the people at higher risk of this arrhythmia that can benefit from prolonged heart rhythm monitoring and earlier anticoagulation to prevent a future stroke.” 

This research was led by the University of East Anglia in collaboration with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Cambridge, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the University of Newcastle. 

‘Atrial Fibrillation in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Role of advanced imaging of left atrial function’ is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology and simultaneously presented at the European Society of Cardiology in Amsterdam. 

Latest News

 
Indian fisherman handling a net on the beach.
02 Oct 2023

Family networks improve outcomes for internal migration

Small-scale fishers in India could be benefiting from increase in forced migration - new research from UEA.

Read more >
 
Dr Naomi Wood pictured alongside her book titled 'This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things'
28 Sep 2023

Dr Naomi Wood wins the BBC National Short Story Awards

UEA Creative Writing lecturer and bestselling author, Dr Naomi Wood has been crowned the winner of the eighteenth BBC National Short Story Awards for her work...

Read more >
 
A woman in football kit
25 Sep 2023

From Psychology to the Canaries: UEA student on target for Norwich City Women’s Football Club

A University of East Anglia Psychology student has marked her fledgling Norwich City Women’s Football Club career with a quick-fire hat-trick in one of her first...

Read more >
 
A nurse interacting with a patient.
21 Sep 2023

Nurses worldwide rely on intuition to triage patients

Nurses around the world use intuition to work out how sick a patient is before triaging for treatment – according to new research from the University of East...

Read more >
Are you searching for something?
 
A nurse interacting with a patient.
21 Sep 2023

Nurses worldwide rely on intuition to triage patients

Nurses around the world use intuition to work out how sick a patient is before triaging for treatment – according to new research from the University of East...

Read more >
 
Francessca Turrell
18 Sep 2023

UEA nursing apprentice’s sky-high dive for Alzheimer's and Dementia awareness

On Sunday 24 September, University of East Anglia (UEA) nursing apprentice Francessca Turrell will be taking part in a charity skydive for Alzheimer’s Society, a...

Read more >
 
Logo Rewind's yellow book cover with black symbols
14 Sep 2023

New book to focus on Norwich’s medieval logos

‘Logo Rewind: Trademarks of Medieval Norwich’ is a new book from UEA Publishing Project, in collaboration with CreativeUEA and featuring the work of Darren...

Read more >
 
Ziggurats
13 Sep 2023

UEA students discover new room location following RAAC accommodation closures

Over 700 University of East Anglia (UEA) students have discovered where their new university homes will be located, following the closure of some accommodation...

Read more >
 
(L-R) Chris Law MP, Dr Martin Scott, Renu Mehta
13 Sep 2023

New report from UEA Academic asks whether UK Aid Match has been used for ‘charity washing’, ahead of Westminster event

A new report from the University of East Anglia’s Dr Martin Scott into the Government’s UK Aid Match (UKAM) scheme has led to concerns of ‘charity washing’, with...

Read more >
 
Claudio Barchiesi with his bike and a United Kingdom flag
12 Sep 2023

Pedalling with purpose: UEA student’s fundraising cycle from Italy to England

A student at the University of East Anglia (UEA) has completed a charity cycling trip from his hometown in Italy to his grandparent’s house in Suffolk, to raise...

Read more >
 
Student accommodation buildings
11 Sep 2023

University of East Anglia accommodation closes following Government RAAC guidance

Read more >