Echocardiographic Characteristics of Patients with Multiple Acute Concomitant Cerebral Infarcts

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiology
• Radiology

Background:

• Limited data exist on characteristics and outcomes of patients with multiple acute concomitant cerebral infarcts (MACCI).
• Echocardiography is crucial for identifying cardioembolic sources in stroke patients.
• Comparative echocardiographic data between MACCI and single presumed embolic cerebral infarctions (SACI) are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare echocardiographic features between patients with MACCI and SACI.
• To investigate potential differences in cardiac morphology and function related to stroke patterns.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of a prospective stroke registry.
• Diagnosis of MACCI and SACI confirmed by MRI.
• Comparison of echocardiographic parameters, demographics, medical history, and functional status between groups.

Main Results:

• 145 patients included (83 SACI, 62 MACCI).
• MACCI patients were older, with higher rates of diabetes and prior strokes.
• Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was significantly higher in MACCI patients (aOR 1.02; p=0.042).
• MACCI was associated with higher mortality rates (34.4% vs. 18.1%; p=0.041).

Conclusions:

• Elevated LVMI in MACCI patients may suggest underlying hypertension, cardiomyopathy, or systemic disease.
• These conditions could represent potential thromboembolic mechanisms contributing to MACCI.
• Further research is needed to clarify the role of LVMI in the pathology of MACCI.