Acute stroke after coronary angiography associated with protruding mobile thoracic aortic atheromas

We describe two patients who developed acute embolic stroke immediately after coronary catheterization for unstable angina. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and spiral CT of the chest revealed protruding floating atheromas within the aortic arch. These cases of stroke immediately after coronary catheterization suggest that protruding floating atheromas of the thoracic aorta place patients at risk for stroke. TEE or CT might predict a risk of stroke in such patients.