The pathophysiological properties of the left atrium are not usually considered for stroke risk stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation. The demonstration that left atrial fibrosis detected by delayed-enhancement MRI is associated with history of stroke highlights the need to take into account histopathological data, in addition to clinical data, in stroke risk stratification.
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Gaita, F., Blandino, A. Left atrial fibrosis—a promising stroke risk factor?. Nat Rev Cardiol 8, 307–308 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2011.63
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2011.63
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