Role of chronic kidney disease and atrial fibrillation in outcomes of patients with ischemic stroke

Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Approximately 85% of strokes are ischaemic, caused by vascular occlusion either due to acute thrombus or emboli often as a result of atrial fibrillation (AF). Other age dependent conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus lead to impairment of renal function and development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Indeed, CKD is increasingly prevalent in the elderly population and is an independent predictor of stroke recurrence, mortality and poor clinical outcomes after acute ischaemic stroke (1). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.