Aortic arch atheroma

Abstract

Severe atheroma of the aortic arch has now been established as an important risk factor and mechanism for stroke and peripheral embolism. The odds ratio for stroke or peripheral embolism in patients with severe arch atheroma is greater than four, and for mobile atheroma it is greater than 12. The prevalence of severe arch atheroma among patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke, at over 20%, is in the same order as that of atrial fibrillation and carotid atherosclerosis. In patients with ischaemic stroke for which no cause has been identified, it is reasonable to determine as to whether they have severe arch atheroma by performing a transoesophageal echocardiogram. Recurrent stroke is ..