Cardioembolic stroke

Cardioembolic strokes account for 15-40 percent of all ischemic strokes, and cryptogenic strokes account for an even higher 30-40 percent of the remaining cerebral infarctions. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is recommended if there is clinical suspicion of a cardiac mass, endocarditis or for re-evaluation of high-risk individuals with risk of progression or complication with infective endocarditis. Currently, computed tomography angiography (CTA) is mainly used to evaluate the thoracic aorta for atherosclerotic plaque in extent of burden of the disease. The most prevalent source of a cardioembolic stroke is a thrombus located within the left atrial appendage (LAA). Myxomas, the most common primary cardiac tumors, are mostly located in the left atrium. Papillary fibroelastomas (PFE) are the second most common primary cardiac tumor in adults. Various valvular disorders, affecting both native and prosthetic cardiac valves, can lead to the development of systemic and pulmonary embolus.