title: Heart disease and stroke.
abstract: Heart disease is the probable source of emboli in 20% to 25% of cases of cerebral infarction. The risk of early death is 14 times greater than the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with cardioembolism: Selection of diagnostic tests should be based on the clinical evidence for cardiac disease, the patient's age, and the identification of other likely causes of stroke. Treatment should focus on decreasing mortality due to cardiac disease as well as preventing recurrent stroke. Warfarin is currently the first treatment of choice for most patients with presumed cardioembolism. Aspirin is an appropriate alternative if warfarin cannot be used.
authors.affiliation: Stroke Research Center, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Ohio 45267-0525.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Broderick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004617:Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants