Document Detail


Transesophageal echocardiography in patients with cryptogenic stroke: does it alter their management? A 3-year retrospective study in a single non-referral centre.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17240738     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Cardiac embolism is estimated to be the aetiology of ischemic cerebral-vascular insults (CVI) in 25% of cases. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a reliable and widely used examination in the diagnosticwork-up of stroke. TEE is superior to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the search of minor sources of cardiac embolism but it is time consuming and has its inherent risks. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether in patients younger than 65 years of age with CVI our TEE-findings would alter their management. Only patients in whom nor the medical record, nor TTE, nor Carotid Ultrasonography could establish an aetiology, were included. METHODS: A 3-year retrospective study was done in patients admitted to the stroke unit of a regional medical centre covering 110,000 inhabitants. The TEE-database was reviewed and all TEE's performed in eligible patients were selected. Minor and major sources of cardiac embolism were listed. The impact of TEE-findings on the management of CVI was evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients fulfilled the criteria for this study. The mean age was 52 years (range 18 - 65). A major source of cardiac embolism was seen in 6 cases (11.1%). Four patients (7.4%) had infective endocarditis (IE) with vegetations. A small apical thrombosis in a patient with isolated left ventricular non-compaction was noted and in 1 patient dysfunction of a mechanical prosthetic valve was documented. The most frequently encountered minor source of cardiac embolism was a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or small atrial septal defect (ASD) with documented right-to-left shunt during Valsalva manoeuvre (15 patients, 27.8%). Of these 15 patients, an atrial septum aneurysm(ASA) was seen in 7 patients (13%). Our TEE-findings altered the management of CVI substantially in 21 cases (38.9%). The 4 patients with IE and the patient with mechanical valve dysfunction had cardiac surgery. Twelve patients (22.2%) were referred for percutaneous closure of the PFO/ASD. Three patients with PFO/ASD and the patient with IVNC were treated with maintenance therapy of oral anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: In 1 out of 3 patients, younger than 65 years, suffering from CVI in whom nor medical history, nor TTE, nor Carotid Ultrasound could reveal the cause of the CVI our TEE-findings altered their management.
Authors:
J Walpot; W H Pasteuning; M Hoevenaar; J den Braber; J Sorgedrager; M Oostdijk-de Rijke; L van Kooten-Meyer
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Acta clinica Belgica     Volume:  61     ISSN:  0001-5512     ISO Abbreviation:  Acta Clin Belg     Publication Date:    2006 Sep-Oct
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-01-23     Completed Date:  2007-02-08     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0370306     Medline TA:  Acta Clin Belg     Country:  Belgium    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  243-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Walcheren, Vlissingen, The Netherlands. walpot@zwv.nl
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Echocardiography, Transesophageal*
Embolism / diagnosis*
Female
Heart Diseases / diagnosis*,  ultrasonography
Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / complications,  therapy,  ultrasonography
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Stroke / etiology*
Valsalva Maneuver

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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