Key result
Transesophageal echocardiography detected left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in 73% of elderly ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation compared to 14% of those in sinus rhythm (p<0.01).
Why the study?
Does transesophageal echocardiography detect different cardiac sources of embolism in elderly ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation compared to those in sinus rhythm?
Observational (n=77)
Does transesophageal echocardiography detect different cardiac sources of embolism in elderly ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation compared to those in sinus rhythm?
Absolute Event Rate: 73% vs 14%
p-value: p=<0.01
Transesophageal echocardiography reveals that elderly stroke patients with atrial fibrillation more commonly have left atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus, whereas those in sinus rhythm more commonly have patent foramen ovale, atrial septal aneurysm, and aortic atherosclerotic plaques.
May support rhythm-specific embolic evaluation on TEE in elderly stroke; cross-sectional data leave therapeutic implications open pending prospective studies.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the role of transesophageal echocardiography in detecting cardiac sources of embolism in elderly stroke patients. METHODS: We performed transesophageal echocardiography in 77 patients > or = 70 years old (mean 76.9) with ischemic stroke and investigated embolic sources. Thirty-seven patients were in sinus rhythm (SR) and 40 in atrial fibrillation (Af). RESULTS: Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast was detected in 73% of Af and in 14% of SR (p<0.01). Left atrial thrombus was present in 10% of Af and none of SR (p<0.05). Patent foramen ovale, atrial septal aneurysm, and aortic atherosclerotic plaque > or = 4.0 mm in thickness in the proximal aortic arch were more commonly found in patients with SR. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly ischemic stroke patients, 1) Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus are more commonly detected in patients with Af, reflecting left atrial enlargement and blood stasis, and 2) atrial septal aneurysm, patent foramen ovale and aortic atherosclerotic plaque > or = 4.0 mm in thickness in the proximal aortic arch are important findings in patients with SR.
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Okura et al. (1999) conducted an observational in Ischemic stroke (n=77). Atrial fibrillation vs. Sinus rhythm was evaluated on Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (p=<0.01). Transesophageal echocardiography detected left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in 73% of elderly ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation compared to 14% of those in sinus rhythm (p<0.01).
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