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Almeida AG, Grapsa J, Gimelli A, Bucciarelli-Ducci C, Gerber B, Ajmone-Marsan N, Bernard A, Donal E, Dweck MR, Haugaa KH, Hristova K, Maceira A, Mandoli GE, Mulvagh S, Morrone D, Plonska-Gosciniak E, Sade LE, Shivalkar B, Schulz-Menger J, Shaw L, Sitges M, von Kemp B, Pinto FJ, Edvardsen T, Petersen SE, Cosyns B. Cardiovascular multimodality imaging in women: a scientific statement of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging of the European Society of Cardiology. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2024; 25:e116-e136. [PMID: 38198766 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jeae013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent an important cause of mortality and morbidity in women. It is now recognized that there are sex differences regarding the prevalence and the clinical significance of the traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors as well as the pathology underlying a range of CVDs. Unfortunately, women have been under-represented in most CVD imaging studies and trials regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics. There is therefore a clear need for further investigation of how CVD affects women along their life span. Multimodality CV imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis of CVD in women as well as in prognosis, decision-making, and monitoring of therapeutics and interventions. However, multimodality imaging in women requires specific consideration given the differences in CVD between the sexes. These differences relate to physiological changes that only women experience (e.g. pregnancy and menopause) as well as variation in the underlying pathophysiology of CVD and also differences in the prevalence of certain conditions such as connective tissue disorders, Takotsubo, and spontaneous coronary artery dissection, which are all more common in women. This scientific statement on CV multimodality in women, an initiative of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging of the European Society of Cardiology, reviews the role of multimodality CV imaging in the diagnosis, management, and risk stratification of CVD, as well as highlights important gaps in our knowledge that require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana G Almeida
- Heart and Vessels Department, University Hospital Santa Maria, CAML, CCUL, Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Julia Grapsa
- Cardiology Department, Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Alessia Gimelli
- Imaging Department, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Bucciarelli-Ducci
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Guys' and St Thomas NHS Hospitals, London, UK
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Bernhard Gerber
- Service de Cardiologie, Département Cardiovasculaire, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Division CARD, Institut de Recherche Expérimental et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nina Ajmone-Marsan
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Bernard
- EA4245 Transplantation, Immunologie, Inflammation, Université de Tours, Tours, France
- Service de Cardiologie, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Erwan Donal
- CHU Rennes, Inserm, LTSI-UMR 1099, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Marc R Dweck
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Chancellors Building, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kristina H Haugaa
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- ProCardio Center for Innovation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Krassimira Hristova
- Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Alicia Maceira
- Ascires Biomedical Group, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences School, UCH-CEU University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Giulia Elena Mandoli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sharon Mulvagh
- Division of Cardiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Doralisa Morrone
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Leyla Elif Sade
- Cardiology Department, University of Baskent, Ankara, Turkey
- UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Jeanette Schulz-Menger
- Charité ECRC Medical Faculty of the Humboldt University Berlin and Helios-Clinics, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK, Partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Leslee Shaw
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
| | - Marta Sitges
- Cardiovascular Institute, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERCV, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Berlinde von Kemp
- Cardiology, Centrum voor Hart en Vaatziekten (CHVZ), Universitair Ziejkenhuis Brussel (UZB), Vrij Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fausto J Pinto
- Heart and Vessels Department, University Hospital Santa Maria, CAML, CCUL, Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Thor Edvardsen
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- ProCardio Center for Innovation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Steffen E Petersen
- William Harvey Research Institute, NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre, Queen Mary University London, Charterhouse Square, London, UK
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Bernard Cosyns
- Cardiology, Centrum voor Hart en Vaatziekten (CHVZ), Universitair Ziejkenhuis Brussel (UZB), Vrij Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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van der Maten G, Meijs MFL, Timmer JR, Brouwers PJAM, von Birgelen C, Coutinho JM, Bouma BJ, Kerkhoff H, Helming AM, van Tuijl JH, van der Meer NA, Saxena R, Ebink C, van der Palen J, den Hertog HM. Routine transthoracic echocardiography in ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack of undetermined cause: a prospective multicentre study. Neth Heart J 2024; 32:91-98. [PMID: 37870709 PMCID: PMC10834921 DOI: 10.1007/s12471-023-01819-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guidelines recommend routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) after ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack of undetermined cause; yet, only limited scientific evidence exists. Therefore, we aimed to determine in these patients the prevalence of TTE-detected major cardiac sources of embolism (CSE), which are abnormalities leading to therapeutic changes. METHODS Six Dutch hospitals conducted a prospective observational study that enrolled patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack of undetermined cause. Patients underwent TTE after comprehensive diagnostic evaluation on stroke units, including blood chemistry, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), ≥ 24 h continuous ECG monitoring, brain imaging and cervical artery imaging. Primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with TTE-detected major CSE. RESULTS From March 2018 to October 2020, 1084 patients, aged 66.6 ± 12.5 years, were enrolled; 456 (42.1%) patients were female and 869 (80.2%) had ischaemic stroke. TTE detected major CSE in only 11 (1.0%) patients. Ten (90.9%) of these patients also had major ECG abnormalities (previous infarction, major repolarisation abnormalities, or previously unknown left bundle branch block) that would have warranted TTE assessment regardless of stroke evaluation. Such ECG abnormalities were present in 11.1% of the total study population. A single patient (0.1%) showed a major CSE despite having no ECG abnormality. CONCLUSIONS This multicentre cross-sectional study in patients who-after workup on contemporary stroke units-were diagnosed with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack of undetermined cause found TTE-detected major CSE in only 1% of all patients. Most of these patients also had major ECG abnormalities. These findings question the value of routine TTE assessment in this clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerlinde van der Maten
- Department of Neurology, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Technology and Services Research, Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs F L Meijs
- Department of Cardiology, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
| | - Jorik R Timmer
- Department of Cardiology, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | | | - Clemens von Birgelen
- Department of Health Technology and Services Research, Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan M Coutinho
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Berto J Bouma
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Kerkhoff
- Department of Neurology, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Mijn Helming
- Department of Cardiology, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Julia H van Tuijl
- Department of Neurology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ritu Saxena
- Department of Neurology, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Corné Ebink
- Department of Cardiology, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Job van der Palen
- Section Cognition, Data and Education, Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
- Medical School Twente, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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Thong EHE, Kong WKF, Poh KK, Wong R, Chai P, Sia CH. Multimodal Cardiac Imaging in the Assessment of Patients Who Have Suffered a Cardioembolic Stroke: A Review. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 11:13. [PMID: 38248883 PMCID: PMC10816708 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd11010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardioembolic strokes account for 20-25% of all ischaemic strokes, with their incidence increasing with age. Cardiac imaging plays a crucial role in identifying cardioembolic causes of stroke, with early and accurate identification affecting treatment, preventing recurrence, and reducing stroke incidence. Echocardiography serves as the mainstay of cardiac evaluation. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the first line in the basic evaluation of structural heart disorders, valvular disease, vegetations, and intraventricular thrombus. It can be used to measure chamber size and systolic/diastolic function. Trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE) yields better results in identifying potential cardioembolic sources of stroke and should be strongly considered, especially if TTE does not yield adequate results. Cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging provide better soft tissue characterisation, high-grade anatomical information, spatial and temporal visualisation, and image reconstruction in multiple planes, especially with contrast. These techniques are useful in cases of inconclusive echocardiograms and can be used to detect and characterise valvular lesions, thrombi, fibrosis, cardiomyopathies, and aortic plaques. Nuclear imaging is not routinely used, but it can be used to assess left-ventricular perfusion, function, and dimensions and may be useful in cases of infective endocarditis. Its use should be considered on a case-by-case basis. The accuracy of each imaging modality depends on the likely source of cardioembolism, and the choice of imaging approach should be tailored to individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William K. F. Kong
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore; (W.K.F.K.); (K.-K.P.); (R.W.); (P.C.)
| | - Kian-Keong Poh
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore; (W.K.F.K.); (K.-K.P.); (R.W.); (P.C.)
| | - Raymond Wong
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore; (W.K.F.K.); (K.-K.P.); (R.W.); (P.C.)
| | - Ping Chai
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore; (W.K.F.K.); (K.-K.P.); (R.W.); (P.C.)
| | - Ching-Hui Sia
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore; (W.K.F.K.); (K.-K.P.); (R.W.); (P.C.)
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Alshukri A, Nadar SK, Gujjar AR, Al Lawati H, Al-Rawahi M, Al-Kindi I, AlFarsi M. Yield of Cardiac Investigations in Patients Presenting with Acute Ischaemic Stroke: A single tertiary centre experience. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2023; 23:351-359. [PMID: 37655077 PMCID: PMC10467543 DOI: 10.18295/squmj.12.2022.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Strokes are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of routine cardiac investigations in identifying a cardioembolic aetiology for ischaemic strokes. Methods This retrospective study involved patients who presented with a stroke to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January and December 2019. Results A total of 183 patients (mean age = 66.2 ± 13.5 years), the majority of which were male (n = 109, 59.6%), were included. The common risk factors included hypertension (74.9%), diabetes (61.7%) and hyperlipidaemia (54.6%). The middle cerebral artery was the most common artery affected, in 44 patients (24.0%). On admission, 14 (7.6%) patients were in atrial fibrillation (AF), while the rest were in sinus rhythm. The 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) Holter monitoring revealed no abnormalities in 135 patients. AF was observed in 15 (8.1%) patients (inclusive of the 14 who had AF on resting ECG). Furthermore, 32 (17.4%) patients had evidence of non-sustained atrial arrhythmia, and nine (4.9%) had non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Frequent supraventricular ectopics (>30/hour) was noted on 30 patients (16.3%), while five (2.7%) patients had a high ventricular ectopic burden (>10% burden). No significant abnormalities were noted in the echocardiograms of the patients; however, 10 out of 132 (7.5%) patients presented a positive bubble echo. Enlarged left atria were found in 24 (13.1%) patients. Conclusion The overall diagnostic yield of the abnormalities from routine cardiac testing for patients with stroke appears to be low. Targeted screening of patients with cryptogenic stroke, as suggested by newer guidelines, is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azhaar Alshukri
- Department of Medicine, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman
| | - Sunil K. Nadar
- Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Arunodaya R. Gujjar
- Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Hatim Al Lawati
- Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Mohammed Al-Rawahi
- Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Isra Al-Kindi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Maathar AlFarsi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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5
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Olma MC, Tütüncü S, Grittner U, Kunze C, Jawad-Ul-Qamar M, Kirchhof P, Röther J, Thomalla G, Veltkamp R, Laufs U, Nabavi DG, Heuschmann PU, Endres M, Haeusler KG. Extent of routine diagnostic cardiac work-up at certified German stroke units participating in the prospective MonDAFIS study. Neurol Res Pract 2023; 5:21. [PMID: 37259147 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-023-00246-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND About 25% of all ischaemic strokes are related to cardio-embolism, most often due to atrial fibrillation (AF). Little is known about the extent and standardization of routine cardiac diagnostic work-up at certified stroke-units in Germany. METHODS The MonDAFIS study included non-AF patients with acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) at 38 certified stroke-units in Germany. Here, we analysed routine diagnostic work-up and disregarded study-related Holter-ECG monitoring. We compared duration of stroke-unit stay, number of 24-h Holter-ECGs, and echocardiography performed between university-based comprehensive stroke centres (UCSC, 12 hospitals, 1606 patients), non university-based comprehensive stroke centres (nUCSC, 14 hospitals, 892 patients), and primary stroke centres at non-university hospitals (PCS, 12 hospitals, 933 patients) using multivariable mixed regression analyses. Detection of a first AF episode in-hospital was also compared between hospitals of different stroke-unit levels. RESULTS In 3431 study patients (mean age 66.2 years, 39.5% female, median NIHSS = 2 on admission), median duration of the stroke-unit stay was 72 h (IQR 42-86). Stroke-unit stay was longer (categorised ≤ 24/ > 24- ≤ 72/ > 72 h) for patients with severe stroke (NIHSS score ≥ 5/ < 5: OR = 1.6, 95%CI 1.3-2.0) and for patients with ischaemic stroke vs. TIA (OR = 1.7, 95%CI 1.4-2.1). Overall, 2149/3396 (63.3%) patients underwent at least one additional 24-h Holter-ECG (median 1 [IQR 0-1], range 0-7). Holter-ECG rate was 47% in UCSC, 71% in nUCSC, and 84% in PCS. Compared to PCS, AF was less often detected in-hospital in UCSC (OR = 0.65, 95%CI 0.45-0.93) and nUCSC (OR = 0.69, 95%CI 0.46-1.04). Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) only was performed in 513/3391 (15.1%) study patients, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) only in 1228/3391 (36.2%), and TEE combined with TTE in 1020/3391 (30.1%) patients. Patients younger than 60 years (vs. ≥ 60 years) underwent TEE more often than those older than 60 years (OR = 3.44, 95%CI 2.67-4.42). TEE (IQR 34-65%) and TTE rate (IQR 40-85%) varied substantially among study centres. Echocardiography rate (TTE and/or TEE) was 74.0% in UCSC, 85.4% in nUCSC, and 90.3% in PSC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In the MonDAFIS study, the routine use of echocardiography and Holter-ECG monitoring varied in participating stroke centres and at stroke-unit level, if grouped according to stroke-unit certification grade and hospitals´ university status. Trial registration Clinical Trials, NCT02204267. Registered 30 July 2014, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02204267 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel C Olma
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Alexianer St. Josefs-Krankenhaus Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Serdar Tütüncü
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, Herz-Jesu- Hospital Dernbach, Dernbach, Germany
| | - Ulrike Grittner
- Institute for Biometry Und Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Kunze
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Muhammad Jawad-Ul-Qamar
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals, Cottingham, UK
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Röther
- Department of Neurology, Asklepios Hospital Altona, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Götz Thomalla
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roland Veltkamp
- Department of Neurology, Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ulrich Laufs
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Darius G Nabavi
- Department of Neurology, Vivantes Hospital Neukölln, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter U Heuschmann
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Clinical Trial Center Würzburg, Institute of medical Data Science, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Endres
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karl Georg Haeusler
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 11, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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Rizos T, Jenetzky E, Nabavi DG, Haeusler KG, Wachter R, Ossenbrink M, Ringleb PA, Busse O. Echocardiography in acute stroke patients: a nationwide analysis in departments with certified stroke units in Germany. Neurol Res Pract 2023; 5:3. [PMID: 36653887 PMCID: PMC9850591 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-022-00229-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Echocardiography is highly relevant in patients with ischemic stroke or TIA. Utilization of routine echocardiographic examinations [transthoracic (TTE) or transesophageal (TEE)] on stroke units remains however unknown. To representatively examine echocardiographic rates on stroke units in Germany and to evaluate structural factors that may influence the decision to conduct echocardiography. METHODS A nationwide analysis was performed by using certification audit data of all primary and comprehensive stroke centers (pSC and cSC) in Germany. RESULTS Structural and organizational requirements of 310 departments (cSCs: 42.6%) were extracted. Median TTE rate was 63.3% (IQR 39.3-80.8), median TEE rate 21.3% (IQR 16.4-29.5). A cardiological department on site was present in 74.2%, and they were associated with higher TEE rates. TTE rates decreased with increasing numbers of patients (p = 0.026). Likewise, TEE rates decreased with increasing numbers of patients (p = 0.006), mediated by departments with cSCs (p = 0.008 for cSCs vs p = 0.230 for pSCs). TTE rates were far more inhomogeneously distributed than TEE rates and higher in pSCs (p = 0.011). Overall, 12.9% of centers did not perform any echocardiographic examination in at least 50% of all stroke patients. CONCLUSION More detailed recommendations regarding echocardiography should be included in future guidelines. Moreover, evaluating the impact of echocardiographic examinations on long-term prognosis in stroke patients should be focus of further evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timolaos Rizos
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ekkehart Jenetzky
- grid.412581.b0000 0000 9024 6397Faculty of Health/School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany ,grid.5802.f0000 0001 1941 7111Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Darius Günther Nabavi
- grid.433867.d0000 0004 0476 8412Department of Neurology, Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln, Rudower Str 48, 12351 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karl Georg Haeusler
- grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Wachter
- grid.411339.d0000 0000 8517 9062Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Ossenbrink
- grid.469884.f0000 0001 2034 2604LGA InterCert GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Peter Arthur Ringleb
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Otto Busse
- Deutsche Schlaganfall Gesellschaft, Berlin, Germany
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Acute Ischemic Stroke Among Cannabis Users in the United States and Possible Risk Factors for Mortality. Neurologist 2022:00127893-990000000-00048. [DOI: 10.1097/nrl.0000000000000474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Huber C, Wachter R, Pelz J, Michalski D. Current Challenges and Future Directions in Handling Stroke Patients With Patent Foramen Ovale—A Brief Review. Front Neurol 2022; 13:855656. [PMID: 35572930 PMCID: PMC9103873 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.855656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in stroke was debated for decades. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have shown fewer recurrent events after PFO closure in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS). However, in clinical practice, treating stroke patients with coexisting PFO raises some questions. This brief review summarizes current knowledge and challenges in handling stroke patients with PFO and identifies issues for future research. The rationale for PFO closure was initially based on the concept of paradoxical embolism from deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, RCTs did not consider such details, limiting their impact from a pathophysiological perspective. Only a few studies explored the coexistence of PFO and DVT in CS with varying results. Consequently, the PFO itself might play a role as a prothrombotic structure. Transesophageal echocardiography thus appears most appropriate for PFO detection, while a large shunt size or an associated atrial septum aneurysm qualify for a high-risk PFO. For drug-based treatment alone, studies did not find a definite superiority of oral anticoagulation over antiplatelet therapy. Remarkably, drug-based treatment in addition to PFO closure was not standardized in RCTs. The available literature rarely considers patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA), over 60 years of age, and competing etiologies like atrial fibrillation. In summary, RCTs suggest efficacy for closure of high-risk PFO only in a small subgroup of stroke patients. However, research is also needed to reevaluate the pathophysiological concept of PFO-related stroke and establish strategies for older and TIA patients and those with competing risk factors or low-risk PFO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Huber
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rolf Wachter
- Department of Cardiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johann Pelz
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dominik Michalski
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Dominik Michalski
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Thomalla G, Upneja M, Camen S, Jensen M, Schröder J, Barow E, Boskamp S, Ostermeier B, Kissling S, Leinisch E, Tiburtius C, Clausen H, Cheng B, Blankenberg S, Nedelmann M, Steinbrecher A, Andres F, Rosenkranz M, Sinning C, Schnabel RB, Gerloff C. Treatment-Relevant Findings in Transesophageal Echocardiography After Stroke: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study. Stroke 2021; 53:177-184. [PMID: 34496617 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.121.034868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cardiac ultrasound to identify sources of cardioembolism is part of the diagnostic workup of acute ischemic stroke. Recommendations on whether transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) should be performed in addition to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) are controversial. We aimed to determine the incremental diagnostic yield of TEE in addition to TTE in patients with acute ischemic stroke with undetermined cause. METHODS In a prospective, observational, pragmatic multicenter cohort study, patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack with undetermined cause before cardiac ultrasound were studied by TTE and TEE. The primary outcome was the rate of treatment-relevant findings in TTE and TEE as defined by a panel of experts based on current evidence. Further outcomes included the rate of changes in the assessment of stroke cause after TEE. RESULTS Between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019, we enrolled 494 patients, of whom 492 (99.6%) received TTE and 454 (91.9%) received TEE. Mean age was 64.7 years, and 204 (41.3%) were women. TEE showed a higher rate of treatment-relevant findings than TTE (86 [18.9%] versus 64 [14.1%], P<0.001). TEE in addition to TTE resulted in 29 (6.4%) additional patients with treatment-relevant findings. Among 191 patients ≤60 years additional treatment-relevant findings by TEE were observed in 27 (14.1%) patients. Classification of stroke cause changed after TEE in 52 of 453 patients (11.5%), resulting in a significant difference in the distribution of stroke cause before and after TEE (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In patients with undetermined cause of stroke, TEE yielded a higher number of treatment-relevant findings than TTE. TEE appears especially useful in younger patients with stroke, with treatment-relevant findings in one out of seven patients ≤60 years. REGISTRATION URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03411642.
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Affiliation(s)
- Götz Thomalla
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Kopf- und Neurozentrum, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (G.T., M.U., M.J., J.S., E.B., B.C., C.G.)
| | - Mira Upneja
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Kopf- und Neurozentrum, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (G.T., M.U., M.J., J.S., E.B., B.C., C.G.)
| | - Stephan Camen
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Universitäres Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, Hamburg, Germany (S.C., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.).,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany (S.C., M.J., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.)
| | - Märit Jensen
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Kopf- und Neurozentrum, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (G.T., M.U., M.J., J.S., E.B., B.C., C.G.).,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany (S.C., M.J., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.)
| | - Julian Schröder
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Kopf- und Neurozentrum, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (G.T., M.U., M.J., J.S., E.B., B.C., C.G.)
| | - Ewgenia Barow
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Kopf- und Neurozentrum, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (G.T., M.U., M.J., J.S., E.B., B.C., C.G.)
| | - Stefan Boskamp
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Universitäres Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, Hamburg, Germany (S.C., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.).,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany (S.C., M.J., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.)
| | | | - Sandra Kissling
- Klinik für Neurologie, Kreiskliniken Reutlingen, Germany. (S.K., F.A.)
| | - Elke Leinisch
- Klinik für Neurologie, Helios Klinikum Erfurt, Germany (E.L., A.S.)
| | - Claudia Tiburtius
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Albertinen Krankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany (C.T.)
| | - Henning Clausen
- Klinik für Neurologie, Regio Kliniken Pinneberg, Germany (H.C., M.N.)
| | - Bastian Cheng
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Kopf- und Neurozentrum, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (G.T., M.U., M.J., J.S., E.B., B.C., C.G.)
| | - Stefan Blankenberg
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany (S.C., M.J., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.).,Klinik für Neurologie und Neurologische Frührehabilitation, Albertinen Krankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany (S.B., M.R.)
| | - Max Nedelmann
- Klinik für Neurologie, Regio Kliniken Pinneberg, Germany (H.C., M.N.)
| | | | - Frank Andres
- Klinik für Neurologie, Kreiskliniken Reutlingen, Germany. (S.K., F.A.)
| | - Michael Rosenkranz
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany (S.C., M.J., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.).,Klinik für Neurologie und Neurologische Frührehabilitation, Albertinen Krankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany (S.B., M.R.)
| | - Christoph Sinning
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Universitäres Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, Hamburg, Germany (S.C., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.).,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany (S.C., M.J., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.)
| | - Renate B Schnabel
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Universitäres Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, Hamburg, Germany (S.C., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.).,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany (S.C., M.J., S.B., C.S., R.B.S.)
| | - Christian Gerloff
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Kopf- und Neurozentrum, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (G.T., M.U., M.J., J.S., E.B., B.C., C.G.)
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10
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Huang S, Zhao T, Liu C, Qin A, Dong S, Yuan B, Xing W, Guo Z, Huang X, Cha Y, Cao J. Portable Device Improves the Detection of Atrial Fibrillation After Ablation. Int Heart J 2021; 62:786-791. [PMID: 34276021 DOI: 10.1536/ihj.21-067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Asymptomatic recurrences of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been found to be common after ablation.A randomized controlled trial of AF screening using a handheld single-lead ECG monitor (BigThumb®) or a traditional follow-up strategy was conducted in patients with non-valvular AF after catheter ablation. Consecutive patients were randomized to either BigThumb Group (BT Group) or Traditional Follow-up Group (TF Group). The ECGs collected via BigThumb were compared using the automated AF detection algorithm, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, and cardiologists' manual review. Subsequent changes in adherence to oral anticoagulation of patients were also recorded. In this study, we examined 218 patients (109 in each group). After a follow-up of 345.4 ± 60.2 days, AF-free survival rate was 64.2% in BT Group and 78.9% in TF Group (P = 0.0163), with more adherence to oral anticoagulation in BT Group (P = 0.0052). The participants in the BT Group recorded 26133 ECGs, among which 3299 (12.6%) were diagnosed as AF by cardiologists' manual review. The sensitivity and specificity of the AI algorithm were 94.4% and 98.5% respectively, which are significantly higher than the automated AF detection algorithm (90.7% and 96.2%).As per our findings, it was determined that follow-up after AF ablation using BigThumb leads to a more frequent detection of AF recurrence and more adherence to oral anticoagulation. AI algorithm improves the accuracy of ECG diagnosis and has the potential to reduce the manual review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songqun Huang
- Department of Cardiovasology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University
| | - Teng Zhao
- Department of Cardiovasology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Cardiovasology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University
| | - Aihong Qin
- Department of Cardiovasology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University
| | - Shaohua Dong
- Department of Cardiovasology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University
| | - Binhang Yuan
- Department of Computer Science, William Marsh Rice University
| | | | - Zhifu Guo
- Department of Cardiovasology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University
| | - Xinmiao Huang
- Department of Cardiovasology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University
| | - Yongmei Cha
- Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic
| | - Jiang Cao
- Department of Cardiovasology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University
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11
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Schnabel RB, Camen S, Knebel F, Hagendorff A, Bavendiek U, Böhm M, Doehner W, Endres M, Gröschel K, Goette A, Huttner HB, Jensen C, Kirchhof P, Korosoglou G, Laufs U, Liman J, Morbach C, Nabavi DG, Neumann-Haefelin T, Pfeilschifter W, Poli S, Rizos T, Rolf A, Röther J, Schäbitz WR, Steiner T, Thomalla G, Wachter R, Haeusler KG. Expert opinion paper on cardiac imaging after ischemic stroke. Clin Res Cardiol 2021; 110:938-958. [PMID: 34143285 PMCID: PMC8238761 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-021-01834-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This expert opinion paper on cardiac imaging after acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) includes a statement of the "Heart and Brain" consortium of the German Cardiac Society and the German Stroke Society. The Stroke Unit-Commission of the German Stroke Society and the German Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) endorsed this paper. Cardiac imaging is a key component of etiological work-up after stroke. Enhanced echocardiographic tools, constantly improving cardiac computer tomography (CT) as well as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offer comprehensive non- or less-invasive cardiac evaluation at the expense of increased costs and/or radiation exposure. Certain imaging findings usually lead to a change in medical secondary stroke prevention or may influence medical treatment. However, there is no proof from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that the choice of the imaging method influences the prognosis of stroke patients. Summarizing present knowledge, the German Heart and Brain consortium proposes an interdisciplinary, staged standard diagnostic scheme for the detection of risk factors of cardio-embolic stroke. This expert opinion paper aims to give practical advice to physicians who are involved in stroke care. In line with the nature of an expert opinion paper, labeling of classes of recommendations is not provided, since many statements are based on expert opinion, reported case series, and clinical experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate B Schnabel
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany.,Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) e.V., Münster, Germany
| | - Stephan Camen
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Knebel
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University of Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Hagendorff
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig , Leipzig, Germany
| | - Udo Bavendiek
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Böhm
- Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital of Saarland, Saarland University, Homburg (Saar) , Germany
| | - Wolfram Doehner
- Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Regenerative Therapies, and Department of Cardiology (Virchow Klinikum), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Endres
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Klinik Und Hochschulambulanz Für Neurologie Mit Abteilung Für Experimentelle Neurologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,ExcellenceCluster NeuroCure, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Gröschel
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Goette
- Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) e.V., Münster, Germany.,Department of Cardiology & Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Hagen B Huttner
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Christoph Jensen
- B. Braun Ambulantes Herzzentrum Kassel MVZ GmbH, Kassel, Germany.,Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany.,Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) e.V., Münster, Germany.,Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Grigorios Korosoglou
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, GRN Hospital Weinheim, Weinheim, Germany
| | - Ulrich Laufs
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig , Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Liman
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Caroline Morbach
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center and Department for Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Neumann-Haefelin
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Fulda, Universitätsmedizin Marburg - Campus Fulda, Fulda, Germany
| | - Waltraud Pfeilschifter
- Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Klinikum Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Sven Poli
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timolaos Rizos
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Rolf
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff-Heart-Center, Bad Nauheim, Germany and Campus Kerckhoff Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen, Germany
| | - Joachim Röther
- Department of Neurology, Asklepios Klinik Hamburg Altona, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolf Rüdiger Schäbitz
- Department of Neurology, Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Universitätsklinikum OWL der Universität Bielefeld, Campus Bielefeld-Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thorsten Steiner
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Klinikum Frankfurt Höchst, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Götz Thomalla
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Wachter
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig , Leipzig, Germany.,University Medical Center Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Karl Georg Haeusler
- Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) e.V., Münster, Germany. .,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 11, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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12
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Schnabel RB, Häusler KG. [Cardiac diagnostics after ischemic stroke or transitory ischemic attack]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2021; 146:801-808. [PMID: 34130322 DOI: 10.1055/a-1221-7095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is the most common cause of permanent disability and one of the most common causes of death. Cardio-embolic strokes are associated with a poor prognosis and a high risk of recurrence compared to other stroke etiologies. The most common source of cardiac embolism is atrial fibrillation which must be quickly identified to optimize secondary stroke prevention. A structured evaluation after ischemic stroke includes taking the medical history, a physical examination, 12-lead ECG recording, rhythm monitoring for 72 h, transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography, if an atrial embolic source of stroke is suspected. Extended cardiac work-up (e. g., MRI/CT, prolonged rhythm monitoring) should be performed in selected patients based on diagnostic findings.
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13
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Powers WJ. Clinical utility of echocardiography in secondary ischemic stroke prevention. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 177:359-375. [PMID: 33632453 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819814-8.00022-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Echocardiography employs ultrasound to evaluate cardiac function, structure and pathology. The clinical value in secondary ischemic stroke prevention depends on identification of associated conditions for which a change in treatment from antiplatelet agents and risk factor intervention leads to improved outcomes. Such therapeutically relevant findings include primarily intracardiac thrombus, valvular heart disease and, in highly selected patients, patent foramen ovale (PFO). Echocardiography in unselected patients with ischemic stroke has a very low yield of therapeutically relevant findings and is not cost-effective. With the exception of PFO, findings on echocardiography that are therapeutically relevant for secondary stroke prevention are almost always associated with history, signs or symptoms of cardiac or systemic disease. Choice of specific echocardiographic modalities should be based on the specific pathology or pathologies that are under consideration for the individual clinical situation. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with agitated saline has comparable accuracy to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for PFO detection. For other therapeutically relevant pathologies, with the possible exception of left ventricular thrombus (LVT), TEE is more sensitive than TTE. Professional societies recommend TTE as the initial test but these recommendations do not take cost into account. In contrast, cost-effectiveness studies have determined that the most sensitive echocardiographic modality should be selected as the initial and only test.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Powers
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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14
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cardiac imaging after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is used to identify potential sources of cardioembolism, to classify stroke etiology leading to changes in secondary stroke prevention, and to detect frequent comorbidities. This article summarizes the latest research on this topic and provides an approach to clinical practice to use cardiac imaging after stroke. RECENT FINDINGS Echocardiography remains the primary imaging method for cardiac work-up after stroke. Recent echocardiography studies further demonstrated promising results regarding the prediction of non-permanent atrial fibrillation after ischemic stroke. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have been tested for their diagnostic value, in particular in patients with cryptogenic stroke, and can be considered as second line methods, providing complementary information in selected stroke patients. Cardiac imaging after ischemic stroke or TIA reveals a potential causal condition in a subset of patients. Whether systematic application of cardiac imaging improves outcome after stroke remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Camen
- Clinic for Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) (partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck), Berlin, Germany
| | - K G Haeusler
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - R B Schnabel
- Clinic for Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) (partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck), Berlin, Germany.
- University Heart Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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