Rev Neurol France
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From the first of June 90 to the thirty first of January 94, transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 235 consecutive patients (mean age 56+/-16 years), presenting either with cerebral ischemic event (n = 202) or a peripheral arterial embolism (n = 33). All patients had normal echocardiographic and Doppler examinations of the carotid arteries, and transthoracic echocardiography did not show any possible cardiac origin for stroke. Ninety seven patients (41.2%) had documented cardiac disease and/or atrial fibrillation (group 1); 138 patients (58.8%) had no previous cardiovascular history (group 2). ⋯ Transesophageal echocardiography contributes more in patients with a history of cardiac disease. In patients without cardiac disease, patient with foramen ovale and interatrial septal aneurysm were mainly detected: their association represented a risk factor of cerebral ischemic event. Therefore transesophageal echocardiography should be performed in young patients or in case of recurrent event.