[Cardioembolic stroke: epidemiology].
Approximately one in four ischemic strokes is of cardioembolic origin. Non-valvular atrial fibrillation accounts for 50% of these cases, followed by myocardial infarction, intraventricular thrombus, valvular heart disease and a miscellany of causes. The incidence of embolic heart disease in the population could be about 30 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year, and its prevalence between 5 and 10 cases per 1,000 persons aged 65 years or older. Hospital mortality is high, and 5-year survival is only one out of every five patients. The recurrence rate of this type of stroke is about 12% at 3 months, higher than that of non-cardioembolic stroke. The severity of cardioembolic strokes and the resulting disability are greater than with non-cardioembolic stroke. Age, a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, hypertension, diabetes and heart failure play a role in stroke with atrial fibrillation as additional risk factors for future embolisms. Stroke rates can reach over 20% per year and therefore the prevention and treatment of these events are of paramount importance.
Unidad de Ictus, Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. jdiaz.hdoc@salud.madrid.org
J
J
Díaz Guzmán
D017677:Age Distribution; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000209:etiology
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents