[Abnormalities of the interatrial septum associated with cerebral ischemia in young adults: Contribution of trans-oesophageal echocardiography]

ABSTRACT

About 40% of the mechanism of ischaemic stroke in young adults remains unclear. A paradoxical embolism associated with persistence of a patent foramen ovale and/or the presence of an atrial septal aneurysm are significantly more frequent in patients examined for ischaemic stroke of unknown cause than in control subjects. Was to evaluate the contribution of trans-oesophageal echocardiography to the diagnosis of abnormalities of the interatrial septum and to identify the role played by this condition in unexplained ischemic stroke. In 30 consecutive patients, trans-oesophageal echocardiography recording were made during a saline contrast study. Abnormalities of the interatrial septum was diagnosed in 23.3% cases. The proportion of patent foramen ovale was 10% [3 patients]; atrial septal aneurysm was detected in 6.6%[2 patients]. The prevalence of patent foramen ovale associated with atrial septal aneurysm was 6.6% [2 patients]. Transesophageal echocardiography with contrast appears to be an effective exam in diagnosis of abnormalities of the interatrial septum and our study was suggestive of their embolic nature