[Mitral valve prolapse and platelet activity in young patients with cerebral ischaemia (author's transl)]

In 47 patients under 45 years of age (average age 35.4 years) with more or less localised cerebral ischaemia without evidence of arteriosclerosis echocardiography showed mitral valve prolapse in 13 cases. This was slightly more frequent than in an age and sex-matched control group. The difference was not statistically significant. In three quarters of the patients (n = 35) a significantly raised beta-thromboglobulin level was found indicating increased platelet activity. No definite conclusions can be drawn as to the cause of cerebral ischaemia which is probably due to embolism. However, treatment with platelet aggregation inhibitors should be considered.