Association between the effect of spontaneous contrast in the thoracic aorta and recent ischemic stroke determined by transesophageal echocardiography

• Published in: Arquivos brasileiros de cardiologia 2004-01, Vol.82 (1), p.47-51
• Main Authors: Velho, Flavio José Petersen, Dotta, Fernanda, Scherer, Leonora, Bartholomay, Eduardo, da Silva, Daniela Augusta, Fernandes, Jefferson Gomes, Torres, Marco Antonio Rodrigues
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• ISSN: 0066-782X
• DOI: 10.1590/s0066-782x2004000100005

OBJECTIVETo assess the independent association between the presence of spontaneous echo contrast in the aorta and recent stroke events.METHODSTwo hundred and twenty-four individuals with a diagnosis of recent stroke and 85 control individuals who were examined due to various present/suspected heart diseases were studied through transesophageal echocardiography. The effects of spontaneous contrast in the aorta and the presence of other potential sources of cardiac embolism associated with them were researched and a questionnaire was completed about patients' clinical risk factors at the time of examination.RESULTSThe effects of contrast in the aorta was associated with stroke (OR=2.83; CI = 95%, 1.65-4.46; P 60 years, a history of systemic blood hypertension and smoking, and dyslipidemia were risk factors independently associated with the effects of contrast in the aorta. The presence of a spontaneous contrast effect in the left atrium and Lambl's excrescences were echocardiographic factors independently associated with the effects of contrast in the aorta.CONCLUSIONThe effect of contrast in the aorta was independently associated with recent stroke and with its clinical risk factors. These results reinforce the hypothesis that the phenomenon is a predictor of several risk factors.