Yield of Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Cerebral Ischemic Events: A Single Center Cohort Study

Abstract

© 2018Background: Echocardiography (ECO) is frequently used as a screening test in patients with acute ischemic brain disease. We aimed to evaluate the additional information and therapeutic impact resulting from ECO in these patients. Methods: We conducted a prospective study performing ECO on consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks, admitted to our centre between February 2013 and May 2017. Results: A total of 696 patients were included (female, 57.3%; mean age, 70 ± 15.3 years). Seven hundred thirty two echocardiographic examinations were performed (696 transthoracic and 36 transesophageal). Echocardiography yielded findings judged of clinical importance in 142 patients (20.4%, 95% CI 17.5-23.5). The most frequent of these were left atrial volume enlargement or a normal evaluation. Echocardiography findings resulted in changes in the management of 76 patients (10.7% 95% CI 8.8-13.4); initiation of anticoagulation therapy, administration of IV antibiot