title: [Transesophageal echography and systemic ischemic incidences: 235 cases].
abstract: From the first of June 90 to the thirty first of January 94, transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 235 consecutive patients (mean age 56+/-16 years), presenting either with cerebral ischemic event (n = 202) or a peripheral arterial embolism (n = 33). All patients had normal echocardiographic and Doppler examinations of the carotid arteries, and transthoracic echocardiography did not show any possible cardiac origin for stroke. Ninety seven patients (41.2%) had documented cardiac disease and/or atrial fibrillation (group 1); 138 patients (58.8%) had no previous cardiovascular history (group 2). Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a possible embolic source in 65.9% of cases (group 1) compared with 29.7% of cases in group 2 (p < 0.001). Intracavitary thrombus and spontaneous contrast in the left atrium were detected only in group 1 (21.6% vs 0%, p < 0.001 and 24.7% vs 0%, p < 0.001 respectively). Patent foramen ovale was more frequent in group 2: 14.5% of cases vs 4.1% of cases, p < 0.01. There was no significant difference between atheromatous aortic plaques and interatrial septam aneurysm incidence in the two groups. Patent foramen ovale and interatrial septal aneurysm were more frequent in group 2: 85% of cases vs 10% of cases in group 1. Transesophageal echocardiography contributes more in patients with a history of cardiac disease. In patients without cardiac disease, patient with foramen ovale and interatrial septal aneurysm were mainly detected: their association represented a risk factor of cerebral ischemic event. Therefore transesophageal echocardiography should be performed in young patients or in case of recurrent event.
authors.affiliation: Service de Cardiologie A, CHU Trousseau, Tours.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Paemelaère
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sirinelli
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dreyfus
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maillard
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pottier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raynaud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
vernacular_title: Echographie transoesophagienne et accident ischémique systémique: 235 cas.