Innovative Care for AFib Patients: A Closer Look at Stroke Risk

Traditionally, cardiologists have relied on a checklist of factors when assessing their patients’ risks for stroke. Even though close attention is paid to those with atrial fibrillation (AFib), their increased risk for life-threatening brain attacks is more complicated and can even go undetected.

“That really spurred my interest in trying to find a better way to assess the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Jeffrey Goldberger, Chief of the University of Miami Health System’s Cardiovascular Division.

In response, he co-developed a state-of-the-art 4D Flow MRI to measure how fast blood moves through the heart. “I think it has the potential to really revolutionize the way we treat patients with atrial fibrillation. … It can be lifesaving.”

Tags: 4d flow MRI, Afib, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular risk, Dr. Jeffrey Goldberger, stroke risk