23 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF INCREASED ISCHAEMIC STROKE RISK IN AF DIRECTIONS FOR FUTURE PRACTICE AND RESEARCH As described above, it may be useful in the management of patients with AF to understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms or to have an explanatory model of the disease. Research on the pathophysiological mechanisms of AF with experimental in vitro studies, studies in clinical practice and the use of big data analytics can provide better insight in coagulation mechanisms that are related to the occurrence of AF itself and the subsequent association with ischaemic stroke. Such insight could serve as a starting point for future AF management. Figure 1 shows an overview of past achievements and predicted future developments in the management of patients with AF. CONCLUSION In patients with AF the pathophysiology of ischaemic stroke is multifactorial, which makes AF a complex systemic cardiovascular disease in need for integrated holistic cardiovascular risk management and care. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of AF could be valuable in the management of patients with AF. 2
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