Mechanisms of cardioembolic stroke

Cardiac embolism is often involved as a mechanism for embolic stroke, and may be implicated in many strokes that have traditionally been considered of unknown origin (cryptogenic strokes). In recent years, significant advancements have been made in understanding and reducing the risk of stroke from long-known cardioembolic sources (atrial fibrillation, intracardiac thrombus or tumor, infective endocarditis). Also, improved cardiac imaging, especially transesophageal echocardiography, has allowed the identification of newer embolic sources of stroke (aortic atheromas, patent foramen ovale, atrial septal aneurysm). This article reviews the current understanding of cardiac embolism as a mechanism for stroke, and the preventive options that are currently adopted to decrease the stroke risk.