Context

Stroke remains a prevalent and devastating condition for many people across the world, it is a leading cause of disability and is associated with significant monetary and social losses, yet is considered to be a largely preventable disease. One-third of all strokes are considered cryptogenic after initial diagnostic evaluations. Cryptogenic stroke has been identified, only recently, as an important area of additional investigation. Part of the EMBRACE trial, Gladstone and colleagues’ study adds to mounting evidence that prolonged cardiac monitoring is needed to identify paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in patients with cryptogenic stroke.