Case Report, Int J Cardiovasc Res Vol: 2 Issue: 4
Spontaneous Echo Contrast as a Risk Factor for Cerebrovascular Accident
Rami N. Khouzam* and Fahed Al Darazi |
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA |
Corresponding author : Rami Khouzam University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 6283 Common Oaks Crt # 106, Memphis, TN 38120, USA Tel: (516) 780- 3762; Fax: (901) 747-5805 E-mail: [email protected] |
Received: June 13, 2013 Accepted: July 16, 2013 Published: July 24, 2013 |
Citation: Khouzam RN, Al Darazi F (2013) Spontaneous Echo Contrast as a Risk Factor for Cerebrovascular Accident. Int J Cardiovasc Res 2:4. doi:10.4172/2324-8602.1000132 |
Abstract
Spontaneous Echo Contrast as a Risk Factor for Cerebrovascular Accident
Embolic stroke accounts for 20% of ischemic stroke. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) comes third as risk factor for stroke. Dense left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LA SEC) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cerebral embolism in non-valvular AFib. We present an elderly patient with stroke in the left middle cerebral artery territory who was found to have LA SEC as dense as agitated saline on transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). This case stresses the importance of recognizing SEC as a risk factor for stroke.