skip to content
Dovepress - Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research
View our mobile site

8852

Therapeutic implications of transesophageal echocardiography after transthoracic echocardiography on acute stroke patients

Original Research

(2388) Views  (677) Full article downloads

Authors: Tiago Tribolet de Abreu, Sonia Mateus, Cecilia Carreteiro, Jose Correia

Published Date March 2008 Volume 2008:4(1) Pages 167 - 172
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S2175

Tiago Tribolet de Abreu, Sonia Mateus, Cecilia Carreteiro, Jose Correia

Laboratorio de Ultrasonografia Cardiaca e Neurovascular, Hospital do Espirito Santo-Evora, E. P. E., Portugal

Background: The role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the evaluation of acute stroke patients is still ill-defined. We conducted a prospective observational study to find the prevalence of TEE findings that indicate anticoagulation as beneficial, in acute ischemic stroke patients without indication for anticoagulation based on clinical, electrocardiographic and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings.

Methods: We prospectively studied all patients referred to our laboratory for TTE and TEE. Patients were excluded if the diagnosis was not acute ischemic stroke or if they had an indication for anticoagulation based on clinical, electrocardiographic, or TTE data. Patients with TEE findings that might indicate anticoagulation as beneficial were identified.

Results: A total of 84 patients with acute ischemic stroke and without indication for anticoagulation based on clinical and electrocardiographic or TTE data were included in the study. Findings indicating anticoagulation as beneficial were found in 32.1%: spontaneous echo contrast (1.2%), complex aortic atheroma (27.4%), thrombus (8.3%), and simultaneous patent foramen ovale and atrial septal aneurysm (2.4%).

Conclusions: The results of our study show that TEE can have therapy implications in 32.1% of ischemic stroke patients in sinus rhythm and with TTE with no indication for anticoagulation.

Keywords: acute ischemic stroke, transesophageal echocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, therapy








Readers of this article also read:
  • Join ISVH

    Be part of the World's leading experts in vascular health by joining the International Society of Vascular Health (ISVH)

  • Testimonials

    "... I was impressed at the rapidity of publication from submission to final acceptance." Dr Edwin Thrower, PhD, Yale University