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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
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Measuring Post-Stroke Cerebral Edema, Infarct Zone and Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown in a Single Set of Rodent Brain Samples
Published on: October 23, 2020
[Aortic debris in cerebrovascular ischemic disease]
L M Curatolo1, C M Melcón, M A Lourido
1Servicio de Neurología, Policlinica Bancaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina. neurologia@osba.com.ar
Revista De Neurologia
|July 2, 2003
Summary
Aortic debris detected via transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a significant embolic source in patients experiencing ischemic stroke. Many patients with aortic debris show a high incidence of lacunar infarcts, highlighting the importance of TEE in identifying embolic risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Neurology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Context:
- Aortic atherosclerotic debris is a recognized high-risk embolic source and an independent predictor of cerebrovascular ischemia.
- The incidence of aortic debris is notably higher in elderly individuals and those with pre-existing coronary artery disease.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) serves as a crucial diagnostic tool for identifying aortic debris.
Purpose:
- To characterize patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke who also exhibit echocardiographic evidence of aortic debris.
Summary:
- A study analyzed 209 TEEs performed for 835 ischemic events, identifying aortic debris in 14% of cases.
- Patients with aortic debris (mean age 66.56 years) frequently presented with Grade IV plaques (60%), left atrial dilatation (40%), and spontaneous echo contrast (20%).
- Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoking were common risk factors, with 40% having a history of cerebrovascular events. Lacunar infarcts were prevalent (63%), particularly LACI subtypes.
Impact:
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) plays a vital role in detecting potential embolic sources.
- A significant proportion of patients with echocardiographically diagnosed aortic debris experience lacunar infarcts, underscoring the clinical relevance of this finding.
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