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Wu X, Chen T, Han Y, Wang K, Zhou J. Left atrial myxoma as a rare cause of stroke. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23897. [PMID: 38223711 PMCID: PMC10784162 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebrovascular events may attribute to the fragmentation of a cardiac tumor. Due to the small number of reported cases of large vascular occlusion-acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) associated with atrial myxoma, current guidelines still follow the principle of intravenous thrombolysis priority, even if LVO-AIS patients are eligible for mechanical thrombectomy, and have not recommended the timing of cardiac surgery or preoperative anticoagulation and antithrombotic therapy. Surgical removal is the definitive therapy for cardiac myxomas, especially for left-sided myxomas. With this case, we aim to demonstrate the main challenges that clinicians may encounter when dealing with patients with AIS secondary to cardiac myxoma: the difficulties with clinical diagnosis, strategies for reperfusion therapy, and therapeutic management of cardiac myxoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xindi Wu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tongyu Chen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Han
- Department of Neurology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Clinical Research Institute of Acupuncture and Anaesthetic, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Zhou
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Clinical Research Institute of Acupuncture and Anaesthetic, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Villani LA, Guay M, DeDominicis M, Bharwani A, Xu R, Počuča N, Perera K. The Utility of Echocardiogram in the Workup of Ischemic Stroke Patients. Can J Neurol Sci 2024; 51:73-77. [PMID: 36691825 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2023.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac sources of emboli can be identified by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). The Canadian Best Practice Guidelines recommend routine use of TTE in the initial workup of ischemic stroke when an embolic source is suspected. However, TTEs are commonly ordered for all patients despite insufficient evidence to justify cost-effectiveness. We aim to evaluate the TTE ordering pattern in the initial workup of ischemic stroke at a regional Stroke Center in Central South Ontario and determine the proportion of studies which led to a change in management and affected length of stay (LOS). METHODS Hospital records of 520 patients with a discharge diagnosis of TIA or ischemic stroke between October 2016 and June 2017 were reviewed to gather information. RESULTS 477 patients admitted for TIA or ischemic stroke met inclusion criteria. 67.9% received TTE, out of which 6.0% had findings of cardiac sources of emboli including left ventricular thrombus, atrial septal aneurysm, PFO, atrial myxoma, and valvular vegetation. 2.5% of all TTE findings led to change in medical management. The median LOS of patients who underwent TTE was 2 days longer (p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION TTE in the initial workup of TIA or ischemic stroke remains common practice. The yield of TTEs is low, and the proportion of studies that lead to changes in medical management is minimal. TTE completion was associated with increased LOS and may result in increased healthcare spending; however, additional factors prolonging the LOS could not be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda A Villani
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Meagan Guay
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Canada
| | | | - Aadil Bharwani
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Richard Xu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Nikola Počuča
- Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Kanjana Perera
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Canada
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Hassan MS, Mire Waberi M, Osman Sidow N, Hassan MO, Akyüz H, Ahmed Abdi I, Bashir AM, Abdirahman Ahmed S. Analysis of Echocardiographic Findings of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:2887-2895. [PMID: 37441109 PMCID: PMC10335359 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s414014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims The etiological investigation of the potential cardiac source of acute ischemic stroke is important for the secondary prevention of recurrent and future embolization. Transthoracic echocardiography is one of the most useful investigations for the assessment of the potential cardiac etiology of ischemic stroke. Our aim is to evaluate echocardiographic findings in patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. Methods This was a retrospective observational study conducted in the neurology department of a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. We enrolled 315 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the hospital who had undergone transthoracic echocardiography between March 2019 and March 2022. We analyzed transthoracic echocardiography findings, ischemic stroke subtypes, and their associated comorbidities. We also compared the demographic data, comorbidity, and survival status of patients with abnormal echo findings to those with normal echo findings. Findings The mean age of patients was 62±12 years. Co-morbidities were present in about 251 (80%) of the subjects, hypertension was the most common comorbidity 99 (31.4%), followed by diabetes 72 (23%), and hyperlipidemia 37 (11.7%). Overall cardiac pathology in this study was 170 (54%). Forty-seven (15%) of the patients had low ejection fraction on transthoracic echocardiography. Male patients had slightly less left ventricular systolic dysfunction than female patients. 100 (32%) had left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), while 113 (36%) had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Patients with hypertension and diabetes had more echo abnormalities compared to others (P-values of 0.047 and 0.024, respectively). More abnormal echo findings were seen in patients who died during hospitalization than in those who survived (P = 0.008). Severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction was associated with higher mortality (P < 0.001). Conclusion Most patients with stroke in this study had abnormal echocardiograms; however, only a few had cardioembolic strokes. Abnormalities in echocardiography were more common in patients who died during hospitalization than in those who survived.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Sheikh Hassan
- Department of Neurology, Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Mohamud Mire Waberi
- Department of Cardiology, Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Nor Osman Sidow
- Department of Neurology, Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Mohamed Omar Hassan
- Department of Cardiology, Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Hakan Akyüz
- Department of Cardiology, Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Ishak Ahmed Abdi
- Department of Cardiology, Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Ahmed Muhammad Bashir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Said Abdirahman Ahmed
- Department of Cardiology, Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia
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Sharma R, Silverman S, Patel S, Schwamm LH, Sanborn DY. Frequency, predictors and cardiovascular outcomes associated with transthoracic echocardiographic findings during acute ischaemic stroke hospitalisation. Stroke Vasc Neurol 2022; 7:482-492. [PMID: 35697387 PMCID: PMC9811598 DOI: 10.1136/svn-2021-001170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterise the clinical utility of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at the time of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). BACKGROUND The utility of obtaining a TTE during AIS hospitalisation is uncertain. METHODS We studied AIS hospitalisations at a single centre (2002-2016). TTE abnormalities were classified as findings associated with: high stroke risk (Category I), cardiac events (Category II) and of unclear significance (Category III). We performed logistic regressions to predict Category I, II and III abnormalities. The odds of 1 year recurrent stroke hospitalisation captured by ICD 9 and 10 codes as a function of Category I, II and III abnormalities were assessed. Improvement in predictive capacity for 1 year recurrent ischaemic stroke hospitalisation beyond stroke risk factors was evaluated by net reclassification improvement. RESULTS There were 5523 AIS hospitalisations. Nearly 81% of admission TTEs were abnormal (18.7% Category I, 32.7% Category II, 72.8% Category III). Older patients with coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes, and patent intracranial and extracranial vessels were likely to have an abnormal TTE. Category I finding was associated with lower odds of 1-year recurrent stroke hospitalisation (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.96). Category I data significantly improved the predictive value for 1-year recurrent ischaemic stroke hospitalisation beyond stroke risk factors (net reclassification improvement 0.1563, 95% CI 0.0465 to 0.2661). CONCLUSIONS TTE abnormalities associated with stroke and cardiac event risk were commonly detected during AIS hospitalisation. Detection of Category I TTE findings reduced the risk of recurrent stroke, potentially due to neutralisation of the cardioembolic source by targeted therapy, indicating the clinical utility of TTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Scott Silverman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shaun Patel
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lee H Schwamm
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Nie JZ, Weber MW, Ume K, Bernard J, Menezes SA, Thakkar V, Siddiqui FM. Clinical Utility of the Transthoracic Echocardiogram for Isolated Lacunar Infarcts: A Single-Center Experience. Neurologist 2022; 27:130-134. [PMID: 34967822 DOI: 10.1097/nrl.0000000000000405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stroke is a prominent and financially burdensome disease. Lacunar strokes are traditionally attributed to small vessel disease rather than cardioemboli, which typically occlude larger arteries. Thus, the benefit of screening for potential sources of cardioemboli in lacunar stroke patients is unclear. We evaluated the clinical utility of the transthoracic echocardiogram performed in patients with lacunar strokes. METHODS A single-center retrospective analysis of ischemic stroke patients from January 2013 through December 2017 was performed. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was used to select patients with a single lacunar infarct. Patients presenting with acute symptoms of cardiac disease or an abnormal electrocardiogram were excluded. Transthoracic echocardiogram results were reviewed, and their utility in decision-making was evaluated. RESULTS Of the 442 patients at our institution diagnosed with ischemic stroke during the inclusion period, 89 met inclusion criteria. Transthoracic echocardiogram detected a patent foramen ovale in 5.6% of patients, mitral annular calcification in 9.0% of patients, and abnormal wall motion in 4.5% of patients. For all patients, there were no findings that prompted anticoagulation, antibiotic, or surgical intervention. The cost of an inpatient transthoracic echocardiogram is $4100, resulting in $364,900 in unnecessary health care spending. CONCLUSIONS Transthoracic echocardiogram appears to have minimal therapeutic value in most patients with lacunar strokes. In stroke patients with no acute symptoms of cardiac disease and a normal electrocardiogram, it may be reasonable to forgo the transthoracic echocardiogram if the brain magnetic resonance imaging shows an isolated lacunar infarct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Z Nie
- Division of Neurosurgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
| | - Matthew W Weber
- Division of Neurosurgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
| | - Kiddy Ume
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Joseph Bernard
- Division of Neurosurgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
| | - Stephanie A Menezes
- Division of Neurosurgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
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Mak G, Lu JQ, Perera K. Histopathologic analysis of retrieved cerebral thrombi in acute ischemic stroke patients with proximal anterior circulation occlusions amenable to endovascular thrombectomy. J Neurol Sci 2021; 429:117617. [PMID: 34461551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Mak
- McMaster University, Department of Medicine, Hamilton Health Science, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 2X2, Canada.
| | - Jian-Qiang Lu
- McMaster University, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hamilton Health Science, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 2X2, Canada.
| | - Kanjana Perera
- McMaster University, Department of Medicine, Population Health Research Institute, C4-106, 30 Copeland Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 2X2., Canada.
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Meinel TR, Eggimann A, Brignoli K, Wustmann K, Buffle E, Meinel FG, Scheitz JF, Nolte CH, Gräni C, Fischer U, Kaesmacher J, Seiffge DJ, Seiler C, Jung S. Cardiovascular MRI Compared to Echocardiography to Identify Cardioaortic Sources of Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Neurol 2021; 12:699838. [PMID: 34393979 PMCID: PMC8362907 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.699838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: To compare the diagnostic yield of echocardiography and cardiovascular MRI (CMR) to detect structural sources of embolism, in patients with ischemic stroke with a secondary analysis of non-stroke populations. Methods and Results: We searched MEDLINE/Embase (from 01.01.2000 to 24.04.2021) for studies including CMR to assess prespecified sources of embolism. Comparison included transthoracic and/or transesophageal echocardiography. Two authors independently screened studies, extracted data and assessed bias using the QUADAS-2 tool. Estimates of diagnostic yield were reported and pooled. Twenty-seven studies with 2,525 patients were included in a study-level analysis. Most studies had moderate to high risk of bias. Persistent foramen ovale, complex aortic plaques, left ventricular and left atrial thrombus were the most common pathologies. There was no difference in the yield of left ventricular thrombus detection between both modalities for stroke populations (4 studies), but an increased yield of CMR in non-stroke populations (28.1 vs. 16.0%, P < 0.001, 10 studies). The diagnostic yield in stroke patients for detection of persistent foramen ovale was lower in CMR compared to transoesophageal echocardiography (29.3 vs. 53.7%, P < 0.001, 5 studies). For both echocardiography and CMR the clinical impact of the management consequences derived from many of the diagnostic findings remained undetermined in the identified studies. Conclusions: Echocardiography and CMR seem to have similar diagnostic yield for most cardioaortic sources of embolism except persistent foramen ovale and left ventricular thrombus. Randomized controlled diagnostic trials are necessary to understand the impact on the management and potential clinical benefits of the assessment of structural cardioaortic stroke sources. Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42020158787.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Meinel
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Angela Eggimann
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kristina Brignoli
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Wustmann
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eric Buffle
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Felix G Meinel
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jan F Scheitz
- Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Klinik für Neurologie, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian H Nolte
- Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Klinik für Neurologie, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Gräni
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Urs Fischer
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Kaesmacher
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - David J Seiffge
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Seiler
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Simon Jung
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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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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Abstract
Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke, the vast majority of which are ischemic. Cardiac myxoma is an unusual cause of stroke and accounts for less than 1% of ischemic strokes. We present a case of a 56-year-old male with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, who presented with altered mental status, tinnitus, double vision, and diaphoresis. Due to concern for a cerebral vascular accident, a CT scan of the brain was obtained and showed no acute intracranial process. Brain MRI revealed multiple small acute infarcts involving bilateral posterior cerebral artery distribution. Further evaluation included transthoracic echocardiography that showed a large mobile mass in the left atrium measuring 3.5 x 2 cm intermittently projecting through the mitral valve. The patient underwent successful surgical resection of the left atrial mass. The pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of atrial myxoma. This case further highlights the importance of complete evaluation of stroke, including echocardiography, as well as the importance of careful surgical resection to prevent recurrence of systemic embolization and other complications of atrial myxoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emad Kandah
- Internal Medicine, McLaren Health Care, Michigan State University, Flint, USA
| | - Basel Abdelazeem
- Internal Medicine, McLaren Health Care, Michigan State University, Flint, USA
| | - Saed Alnaimat
- Cardiology, McLaren Health Care, Michigan State University, Flint, USA
| | - Arvind Kunadi
- Internal Medicine, McLaren Health Care, Michigan State University, Flint, USA
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Moores M, Yogendrakumar V, Bereznyakova O, Alesefir W, Thavorn K, Pettem H, Stotts G, Dowlatshahi D, Shamy M. Clinical Utility and Cost of Inpatient Transthoracic Echocardiography Following Acute Ischemic Stroke. Neurohospitalist 2020; 11:12-17. [PMID: 33868551 DOI: 10.1177/1941874420946513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose It is unclear whether it is clinically necessary or cost-effective to routinely obtain a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) during inpatient admission for ischemic stroke. Methods We assessed consecutive patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke at a comprehensive stroke center from 2015 to 2017 who underwent TTE. We assessed for findings on TTE that would warrant urgent intervention including cardiac thrombus, atrial myxoma, mitral stenosis, valve vegetation, valve dysfunction requiring surgery, and low ejection fraction. Subsequent changes in management included changes in anticoagulation, antibiotics, or valve surgery. We calculated in-hospital resource utilization and associated costs for inpatient TTE using individual direct cost details within a case-costing system. Results Of 695 patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke, 516 (74%) had a TTE and were included in our analysis. TTE findings were potentially clinically significant in 30 patients (5.8%) and changed management in 17 patients (3.3%). Inpatient admission was prolonged to expedite TTE in 24 patients, while TTE occurred after discharge in 76 patients. After correcting for the cost of TTE, the mean difference in cost to prolong an admission for TTE was $555.52 (USD), or $16 832 per change in management. Conclusions Given the low clinical utility of inpatient TTE after acute ischemic stroke and the costs associated with prolonging admission, discharge from hospital should not be delayed solely to obtain TTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Moores
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vignan Yogendrakumar
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olena Bereznyakova
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Walid Alesefir
- Department of Neurology, CHUM (Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kednapa Thavorn
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hailey Pettem
- Champlain Regional Stroke Network, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Grant Stotts
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dar Dowlatshahi
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michel Shamy
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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