Clinical features of ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation combined with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis

Abstract Background Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) are major causes of ischemic stroke. Relatively few studies have focused on the risk factors and clinical features of ischemic stroke caused by NVAF combined with ICAS. Method We retrospectively evaluated NVAF and/or ICAS in patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted within 72 h after stroke. All patients with acute ischemic stroke underwent diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and/or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). NVAF was detected by routine electrocardiogram or 24‐h Holter examination, Doppler echocardiography, and contrast echocardiography of the right heart. Results Among the 635 enrolled patients, NVAF, ICAS, and NVAF+ICAS were diagnosed in 170 (26.77%), 255 (40.16%), and 210 (33.07%) patients, respectively. Patients in the NVAF+ICAS group were older (p