Paradoxical brain embolism may not be uncommon-Prospective study in acute ischemic stroke |
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Authors: | Yuji Ueno Yasuyuki Iguchi Takeshi Inoue Kensaku Shibazaki Takao Urabe Kazumi Kimura |
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Institution: | (1) Stroke center, Dept. of Stroke Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama Japan, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki-city, Okayama 701-0192, Japan;(2) Dept. of Neurology, Juntendo University, School of Medicine, Tokyo Japan, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan |
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Abstract: | Abstract
Background
Proving that right-to-left shunt (RLS) represents the precise causative mechanism in ischemic stroke patients with RLS is
difficult. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency and clarify the clinical characteristics of paradoxical brain
embolism (PBE).
Methods
We prospectively enrolled consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients, who underwent transcranial Doppler and/or transesophageal
echocardiography. For patients with RLS, diagnostic criteria for PBE were established as follows: 1) brain images suggesting
embolic strokes; 2) presence of deep venous thrombus or pulmonary embolism; and 3) absence of any embolic sources. Patients
were divided into 4 groups: patients meeting all 3 criteria (Definite); fulfilling 2 criteria (Probable); fulfilling 1 or
0 criteria (Possible); and patients without RLS (Non-RLS).
Results
A total of 240 subjects were analyzed for this study. The Definite group comprised 5% of patients, and displayed significantly
more females (p = 0.038), and infarcts involving both anterior and posterior circulations (p < 0.001). Patients having neither
hypertension nor diabetes mellitus also predominantly belonged to the Definite group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Clinical characteristics of PBE are a female preponderance, infarcts affecting both anterior and posterior circulations, and
an absence of risk factors. |
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Keywords: | paradoxical embolism right-to-left shunt patent foramen ovale transesophageal echocardiography transcranial Doppler |
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