title: Atrial Septal Defects and Cardioembolic Strokes.
abstract: Atrial septal defects (ASDs) can be complicated by cardioembolic strokes, but the exact incidence is unknown. Patients with large and small shunts may present with a cardioembolic stroke. Patients with cryptogenic strokes should have cardiac ultrasound to see if an ASD is present. Cardioembolic strokes associated with ASD principally occur with 2 mechanisms. The first is paradoxic embolism involving a venous-based source of thrombus, which may subsequently pass through the ASD by right-to-left shunting, causing a cardioembolic stroke. The second is atrial fibrillation that can complicate the course of patients with ASDs, especially as they age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Denver, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leppert
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Denver, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Poisson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine University of Colorado Denver, Leprino Office Building on Anschutz Medical Campus, 12401 East 17th Avenue, Room 524, Mail Stop B132, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: John.carroll@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Carroll
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Atrial septal defect; Paradoxic embolism; Shunt; Stroke