Transesophageal echocardiography in patients with cryptogenic stroke: does it alter their management? A 3-year retrospective study in a single non-referral centre.
BACKGROUND
Cardiac embolism is estimated to be the aetiology of ischemic cerebral-vascular insults (CVI) in 25% of cases. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a reliable and widely used examination in the diagnosticwork-up of stroke. TEE is superior to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the search of minor sources of cardiac embolism but it is time consuming and has its inherent risks.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine whether in patients younger than 65 years of age with CVI our TEE-findings would alter their management. Only patients in whom nor the medical record, nor TTE, nor Carotid Ultrasonography could establish an aetiology, were included.


METHODS
A 3-year retrospective study was done in patients admitted to the stroke unit of a regional medical centre covering 110,000 inhabitants. The TEE-database was reviewed and all TEE's performed in eligible patients were selected. Minor and major sources of cardiac embolism were listed. The impact of TEE-findings on the management of CVI was evaluated.


RESULTS
Fifty-four patients fulfilled the criteria for this study. The mean age was 52 years (range 18 - 65). A major source of cardiac embolism was seen in 6 cases (11.1%). Four patients (7.4%) had infective endocarditis (IE) with vegetations. A small apical thrombosis in a patient with isolated left ventricular non-compaction was noted and in 1 patient dysfunction of a mechanical prosthetic valve was documented. The most frequently encountered minor source of cardiac embolism was a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or small atrial septal defect (ASD) with documented right-to-left shunt during Valsalva manoeuvre (15 patients, 27.8%). Of these 15 patients, an atrial septum aneurysm(ASA) was seen in 7 patients (13%). Our TEE-findings altered the management of CVI substantially in 21 cases (38.9%). The 4 patients with IE and the patient with mechanical valve dysfunction had cardiac surgery. Twelve patients (22.2%) were referred for percutaneous closure of the PFO/ASD. Three patients with PFO/ASD and the patient with IVNC were treated with maintenance therapy of oral anticoagulation.


CONCLUSIONS
In 1 out of 3 patients, younger than 65 years, suffering from CVI in whom nor medical history, nor TTE, nor Carotid Ultrasound could reveal the cause of the CVI our TEE-findings altered their management.
Walpot
J
J
Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Walcheren, Vlissingen, The Netherlands. walpot@zwv.nl
Pasteuning
W H
WH
Hoevenaar
M
M
den Braber
J
J
Sorgedrager
J
J
Oostdijk-de Rijke
M
M
van Kooten-Meyer
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver