A patient with uncontrolled atrial fibrillation is at most risk for which type of stroke?

Patients with uncontrolled atrial fibrillation are primarily at risk for ischemic embolic strokes. Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the heart's upper chambers (the atria) experience chaotic electrical activity, leading to ineffective contraction. This can cause blood to pool in the atria, particularly in the left atrial appendage, which increases the likelihood of clot formation. If a thrombus (blood clot) forms in the stagnant blood and then dislodges, it can travel through the bloodstream and block a vessel in the brain, leading to an ischemic embolic stroke.

The risk of embolic strokes is heightened in atrial fibrillation due to the irregular heart rhythm that disrupts normal blood flow, creating conditions for clots to develop. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of blood flow in atrial fibrillation is crucial in assessing stroke risk.

In contrast to ischemic embolism, ischemic thrombosis generally refers to strokes resulting from a clot that forms directly in a cerebral artery rather than one that has traveled from elsewhere in the body, which is less likely in the case of atrial fibrillation. Hemorrhagic strokes occur due to bleeding into the brain, and ischemic stenosis refers to narrowing of arteries that could lead to stroke