Absence of connexin 40 gene polymorphism, as a marker of undetected atrial fibrillation in patients with unexplained cerebral ischemic events.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of cerebral infarction. Idiopathic AF is strongly associated with the human minor connexin 40 (Cx40) promotor polymorphism. We examined the prevalence of the minor Cx40 allele in patients with cerebral ischemia and no other cardiovascular disease (CVD), as an indication of underlying idiopathic AF.