Atrial fibrillation can cause ischemic strokes by allowing blood to pool in the left atrium, where clots can form. These clots can break off and travel to the brain via the bloodstream, becoming lodged in brain arteries and cutting off blood flow. When this occurs, the part of the brain no longer receiving oxygen dies, causing an ischemic stroke. It is important to recognize stroke symptoms and call for help immediately to improve outcomes.

1. John Little, SPT
Wheeling Jesuit University
DPT
jlittle866@cardinal.wju.edu
• Brain cells that experience 80% to
100% ischemia die within minutes
• Brain cells that only experience 50% to
80% ischemia may be recovered
• 15%-20% of individuals who suffer a
stroke are also diagnosed with A-fib
• The quicker the detection of a stroke,
the greater the prognosis will be
• In the US, strokes are the 5th
leading
cause of death
• Every 4 minutes, strokes claim another
life
Statistics
Atrial Fibrillation and
Ischemic Stroke
Golden Living
Centers – South
Hills

2. Deoxygenated blood returns from the body and
enters the right atrium via the vena cava. The
right atrium pumps the blood to the right
ventricle, which then pumps the blood to the
lungs via the pulmonary artery. The lungs
oxygenate the blood so it can deliver the
oxygen to the rest of the body. The pulmonary
veins return this blood to the left atrium which
then pumps the blood to the left ventricle. The
left ventricle pumps the blood up through the
aorta and to the rest of the body.
H E A D L I N E / I N T R O D U C T I O N I N T H I S S P A C EHow does A-fib
cause an ischemic
stroke?
The term ischemia means a restriction in
blood flow to a particular part of the body.
An ischemic stroke occurs when the
oxygen supply of a particular part of the
brain is completely or partially blocked.
When blood begins to pool in the left
atrium, a thrombus, or blood clot can form.
The thrombus can break free from the
atrium or pieces of the thrombus can break
off. Once in the bloodstream, the thrombus
is now called an embolus. The embolus
can travel to the brain via the aorta and the
corresponding arteries. As these arteries
branch, they become smaller. If the
embolus is large enough, it can become
stuck in these arteries and impede blood
flow to that part of the brain.
The above picture displays a thrombus formation in the left
atrium.
Anatomy
What is A-Fib?
Atrial fibrillation occurs when the atria do not
beat in sequence with the rest of the heart.
Normally, the atria beat rhythmically and
forcefully as they pump blood into the
ventricles. With A-fib, the atria quiver and do
not pump blood into the ventricles as they
should. This quivering causes the blood in
the left atrium to pool. This pooling of
stagnant blood is known as blood stasis.
The above picture displays the route of an
embolus from the left atrium to the brain.
The American Stroke Association’s
acronym F.A.S.T. is any easy way to
remember the warnings signs of a stroke.
The acronym stands for:
• F: Face droop
• A: Arm drop
• S: Slurred Speech
• T: Time to call 911
Signs of a stroke