title: Emerging role of cardiovascular CT and MRI in the evaluation of stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this article are to explore the potential for use of CT angiography and MRI and to highlight data suggestive of their usefulness in specific cardiovascular abnormalities. CONCLUSION. The evaluation of stroke requires comprehensive assessment of potential stroke mechanisms, including cardiac sources. Despite an exhaustive search for secondary causes, the precise cause of many strokes remains unknown (cryptogenic). It is well recognized, however, that some of these potential causes occur as a result of embolism from the heart or great vessels. Thus, echocardiography, in particular transesophageal echocardiography, is instrumental in a careful assessment of cardiac causes in selected individuals. Unfortunately, transesophageal echocardiography is invasive, and some patients may have relative or absolute contraindications. Cardiovascular CT angiography and MRI have growing potential compared with conventional cardiovascular echography.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.
authors.forename: Ricardo J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Pagán
authors.forename: Pragnesh P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: Patricia J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mergo
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mankad
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D057791:Cardiac Imaging Techniques; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: CT; MRI; echocardiography; patent foramen ovale; stroke; thrombus