title: Cardioembolic stroke from atrial septal aneurysm.
abstract: Atrial septal aneurysm is an uncommon occult cardiac source of cerebral embolism. It is usually asymptomatic, and clinical cardiologic examination and electrocardiography fail to reveal its presence. We report a case of a 34-year-old woman with sudden right hemiplegia and aphasia from occlusion of the left carotid siphon in whom an atrial septal aneurysm was detected by two-dimensional echocardiography. The absence of atherosclerotic risk factors and vascular lesions proximal to the carotid occlusion strengthened a causal relation between atrial septal aneurysm and cerebral infarction. Consequently, two-dimensional echocardiography may be advisable in every patient with unexplained ischemic stroke to detect possible occult embolic cardiac abnormalities.
authors: Service of Cardiology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Di Pasquale
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Andreoli
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Grazi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Dominici
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Pinelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006325:Heart Atria; D006346:Heart Septum; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography