Atrial fibrillation with left atrial spontaneous contrast detected by transesophageal echocardiography is a potent risk factor for stroke

Abstract

Nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexists with other risk factors far cerebral ischemia. This study was originally designed to determine which combinations of clinical and echocardiographic abnormalities were most closely associated with the risk of cerebral ischemic events. Patients with cerebral ischemic events (n = 214) and community-based control subjects (n = 201) underwent transesophageal echocardiography and carotid artery imaging. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Independent risk factors far cerebral ischemia included diabetes, carotid stenosis, aortic sclerosis, left ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular hype..