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[Multiple vertebro-basilar infarcts and cardio-embolism]
A Verdelho1, J G Pereira, J M Ferro
1Servicio de Neurología, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa, Portugal. NOP02501@mail.telepac.pt
Revista De Neurologia
|July 3, 1999
Summary
Multiple vertebrobasilar infarcts, especially in a first stroke, suggest cardioembolic causes. An extensive cardiac investigation is recommended to identify the source of potential embolisms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Stroke etiology is often unclear from infarct characteristics alone.
- Cardioembolism is a suspected cause for multiple vertebrobasilar infarcts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between multiple vertebrobasilar infarcts and cardioembolic etiology.
- To compare patients with single versus multiple vertebrobasilar infarcts.
Main Methods:
- Retrieved 73 cases of acute non-lacunar vertebrobasilar infarcts from a hospital registry.
- Compared 49 patients with single infarcts to 24 patients with multiple infarcts.
- Analyzed risk factors, procedures, and associated pathologies for infarct pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Hypercholesterolemia and transcranial Doppler were more frequent in the multiple infarct group.
- Cardioemboligenic pathology, high-risk cardiac diseases, and atrial fibrillation were more frequent in the multiple infarct group, though not statistically significant.
- Risk factors and ancillary procedures were largely similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- Multiple non-lacunar vertebrobasilar infarcts in a first stroke event suggest a cardioembolic origin.
- Recommends comprehensive cardiac investigations to confirm cardioembolic sources.