• C Weimar, D N Holle, J Benemann, E Schmid, U Schminke, R L Haberl, H-C Diener, M Goertler, and German Stroke Study Collaboration.
• Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
• Cerebrovasc. Dis. 2009 Jan 1; 28 (4): 349-56.

BackgroundRight-to-left cardiac shunt (RLS) is considered a risk factor for stroke, especially in patients aged <55 years. We aimed to investigate the current management and prognosis in consecutive patients with RLS and otherwise cryptogenic cerebrovascular events.MethodsIn total, 1,126 patients with cryptogenic stroke or TIA were included from 17 German neurology departments. During a mean follow-up of 28.4 months, we assessed current antithrombotic medication, percutaneous device closure (PDC) and recurrent cerebrovascular events in 899 patients (79.8%). Stroke recurrence was compared between 548 patients without RLS and 351 patients with RLS under various prevention regimens.ResultsRLS was detected in 35.9% of cryptogenic cerebrovascular patients, but could not be evaluated as an independent predictor for recurrent stroke (adjusted HR 1.6, 95% CI: 0.9-2.7). In RLS-positive patients, the Kaplan-Meier estimate for stroke during the first year was 4.1% (95% CI: 1.9-6.3%) and 1.7% (95% CI: 0.9-2.4%) per year thereafter. At the last follow-up before recurrent stroke or end of study, 117 RLS-positive patients (33.3%) had received a PDC, 154 (43.9%) were receiving antiplatelets, 63 (17.9%) received anticoagulation, and 17 (4.8%) received none of the above. No association with recurrent stroke was found for the secondary preventive regime.ConclusionOur multicenter hospital-based cohort study confirmed low recurrent event rates in RLS patients with otherwise cryptogenic stroke or TIA, as well as a great heterogeneity of current management. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, a substantial number of RLS-positive patients underwent PDC for secondary stroke prevention.Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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