Stroke patterns in cardio-embolic infarction in a population-based study

The study demonstrates that clinical-radiological causes and outcome of car dio-embolic infarcts in a population-based study correspond to a well-ident ified stroke pattern. Cardio-embolic infarcts was diagnosed in 882 cases (3 7.9%) of 2,330 consecutive first-ever stroke patients included in a prospec tive population-based stroke registry over a 14-year period (1985-1997). Th irty-three criteria out of 98 were introduced into a monovariate analysis a nd the significant variable were introduced into a multivariate analysis to identify significant criteria to define stroke patterns in cardio-embolic infarction. Cardiac sources of embolus included atrial arrhythmia, valvular heart disease (19%), and cardiac failure (18%). Patients with cardio-embol ic infarction showed a significantly higher rate of female predominance (p <0.001), history of ischemic heart disease (p <0.001), acute stroke onset ( p <0.05) headache (p <0.05) previous treatment by anti-platelets and anti-K -vitamin (p <0.001), Wernicke aphasia (p <0.001), severe deficit (p <0.001) and death (p <0.001). After a logistic procedure, female gender and ischem ic heart disease were the two independent risk factors associated with card io-embolic stroke. Cardio-embolic stroke is a specific subtype of stroke wi th its own clinical, radiological, etiological and prognostic characteristi cs. In the acute stage, it is necessary to identify quickly this type of st roke because of severe prognosis and appropriate treatment.