title: Prevalence of potential risk factors for stroke assessed by transesophageal echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography: the SPARC study. Stroke Prevention: Assessment of Risk in a Community.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The SPARC (Stroke Prevention: Assessment of Risk in a Community) study was designed to identify risk factors for stroke and cardiovascular disease using transesophageal echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography. This protocol was undertaken to establish a cohort in which putative risk factors for stroke were identified so that subsequent follow-up could discern the roles these risk factors play in stroke incidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, population-based study. A randomly selected cohort comprised 1475 Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents aged 45 years or older, of whom 588 agreed to participate. Transesophageal echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography were used for evaluation of the subjects. Prevalences of various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transesophageal echocardiography was successfully completed in 581 subjects. The prevalence (+/-SE) of patent foramen ovale was 25.6% (+/-1.9%), and that of atrial septal aneurysm was 2.2% (+/-0.6%). The prevalence of aortic atherosclerosis increased with age and was most common in the descending aorta, particularly in subjects 75 to 84 years old. The prevalence of strands on native valve was 46.4% (+/-2.2%). Carotid ultrasonography data for 567 participants revealed minimal atherosclerotic disease. Most subjects had minimal or mild carotid occlusive disease. The prevalence of moderate (50%-79%) and severe (80%-99%) stenosis was 7.7% (+/-1.1%) and 0.3% (+/-0.2 %), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This prospective study defines the prevalence of multiple potential cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors, providing population-based data for ongoing follow-up of the risk of stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Meissner
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Whisnant
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Khandheria
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Spittell
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: O'Fallon
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Pascoe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Enriquez-Sarano
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Seward
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Covalt
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sicks
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Wiebers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution