Arterial Fibrillation (AF) is well-recognized as a cause for cryptogenic Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) and is associated with Silent Brain Infarction (SBI). However, the role of AF in the formation of lesions (SBIs) is less well established than its role in AIS and needs clarification.
The investigators hypothesize that continuous rhythm monitoring will yield a similar incidence of AF diagnosis in patients with SBI as compared to patients with cryptogenic AIS.
The primary objective is to assess the cumulative incidence of AF diagnosis at 24 months in patients with SBI.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age
* ≥ 65 years
* ≥ 50 years AND one the following:
* NT-proBNP \>400 pg/mL
* Left atrial ventricular index \>42 ml/m2 or left atrial diameter \>46 mm
* Covert infarctions with cortical involvement in more than one vascular territory (left carotid territory, right carotid territory, vertebrobasilar territory)
* Written informed Consent
* Any clinically silent ischemic lesions of the brain parenchyma detected on neuroimaging defined according to established criteria as either:
* Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) positive lesions: Focus of restricted diffusion (high DWI signal and low apparent diffusion coefficient value) occurring in either white or gray matter, located in the cerebrum, cerebellum, or brain stem AND not satisfying the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis OR
* Cavitatory Lesions: ≥ 3 mm in size that follow cerebro-spinal fluid on all sequences that are slit or wedge shaped with an irregular margin AND NOT longitudinally aligned with perforating vessels or with a multiple, bilateral symmetrical distribution OR
* T2 weighted (T2W) hyperintense/T1 weighted (T1W) hypointense lesions:
* Focal lesion with high T2W signal and low T1W signal that have prior evidence of restricted diffusion; OR
* Present within cortical gray matter or deep gray matter nuclei OR
* A lesion that is new, compared with an MRI performed within 3 months OR
* T2W hyper/T1W hypointense lesions in the white matter, which are …
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Cumulative incidence of Arterial Fibrillation (AF) diagnosis over a median of 24 months
Timeframe: From day 0 to 24 months after inclusion