Cardioembolic stroke.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic methodology or primary human data.
PubMed 16822397 · doi:10.1007/s11883-006-0009-9
What was done
This paper is a narrative clinical review evaluating the mechanisms, risk factors, clinical outcomes, and prevention strategies for cardioembolic stroke based on existing literature.
What was found
Cardiac sources account for more than 25% of all ischemic strokes, leading to severe events with elevated risks of early and long-term recurrence. Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation represents the most common cause. Despite proven efficacy, oral anticoagulation is prescribed to fewer than 50% of patients who have embolic risk factors and no contraindications. Patent foramen ovale poses a low embolic risk unless combined with an atrial septal aneurysm, while aortic arch atheroma remains debated as an independent risk factor.
Why it matters
The review underscores that cardioembolic strokes carry high severity and recurrence risks, highlighting a substantial underutilization of oral anticoagulation in clinical practice.
Limits
As a non-systematic narrative review, the paper synthesizes general clinical opinion and literature without primary experimental data, detailed inclusion criteria, or statistical measures such as relative risks or confidence intervals.
Cited by
- supports Atrial fibrillation is the leading heart disease issue causing strokes.