The role of cardiac disease parameters in predicting the results of Holter monitoring in patients with acute ischaemic stroke

There is limited evidence supporting the routine use of Holter monitoring (HM) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of HM and determine whether any cardiac disease parameter(s) would permit more focused targeting of HM. We performed a retrospective evaluation of HM in patients with acute ischaemic stroke admitted to our hospital over a one-year period to assess diagnostic yield and whether certain cardiac disease parameters were correlated with HM results. The diagnostic yield was 9%, the number needed to screen was 11, and the cost to detect one clinically significant case was AUS$1,300. Apart from age, stratifying patients by cardiac disease parameters did not predict HM result. This strengthens the use of HM in all patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke of unknown aetiology.