title: Cardioembolic sources in stroke patients in South of Brazil.
abstract: Background. Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability in Brazil and around the world. Cardioembolism is responsible for nearly 30% of the origins of ischemic stroke. Methods. We analyzed data of 256 patients with cardioembolic ischemic stroke (according to TOAST classification) who were admitted into the Hospital São Lucas-PUCRS from October 2011 to January 2014. The cardioembolic subtype was divided into six subgroups: arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, septal abnormalities, and intracardiac injuries. The prevalence of the most important cardiovascular risk factors and medications in use for prevention of systemic embolism by the time of hospital admission was analyzed in each patient. Results. Among 256 patients aged 60.2 +/- 6.9 years, 132 males, arrhythmias were the most common cause of cardioembolism corresponding to 50.7%, followed by valvular heart disease (17.5%) and coronary artery disease (16%). Hypertension (61.7%) and dyslipidemia (43.7%) were the most common risk factors. Less than 50% of patients with arrhythmias were using oral anticoagulants. Conclusions. Identifying the prevalence of cardioembolic stroke sources subgroups has become an increasingly important role since the introduction of new oral anticoagulants. In this study, arrhythmias (especially atrial fibrillation) were the main cause of cardioembolism.
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Carlos
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Porcello Marrone
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Pedro
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Farina Brunelli
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lutzky Saute
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Henrique Tomasi
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cecchele Madeira
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alves Martins
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Robson
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dupont Rohr
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Heck
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Ricardo
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Botton
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marilia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martins de Castro
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bodanese
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Carlos
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Bodanese
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Huf Marrone
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, Instituto do Cérebro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6690, Room 220, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jaderson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Costa da Costa