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Indications for echocardiography in patients with ischemic stroke
Neurology
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) has limited utility for screening ischemic stroke patients. However, 2DE can be a valuable diagnostic tool for specific patient groups, aiding in identifying cardiac embolic sources.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) is increasingly available for evaluating ischemic stroke.
- Expectations were high for 2DE to definitively identify or exclude cardiac embolic sources in stroke patients.
- The diagnostic yield of 2DE as a general screening tool for ischemic stroke has been low.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of 2DE in identifying cardiac embolic sources in patients with ischemic stroke.
- To determine which specific patient populations may benefit most from 2DE for stroke evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Review of the application and diagnostic yield of 2DE in ischemic stroke patients.
- Identification of patient subgroups where 2DE provides significant diagnostic information.
Main Results:
- 2DE has a low yield when used as a general screening procedure for ischemic stroke.
- Useful information from 2DE is infrequent in patients with ischemic heart disease.
- 2DE can be a valuable diagnostic test in selected stroke patients.
Conclusions:
- 2DE is most beneficial for stroke patients under 45, those with suspected left atrial myxoma, infective endocarditis, prosthetic heart valves, or rheumatic heart disease.
- While not a universal screening tool, 2DE can occasionally influence management in ischemic stroke patients, particularly in specific clinical scenarios.