Stroke secondary to cardiogenic embolism

Definition:

A group of brain disorders involving loss of brain functions; caused by clots that develop in the heart and travel to the brain.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Stroke secondary to cardiogenic embolism affects about 6 out of 100,000 people.

Stroke involves loss of brain functions (neurologic deficits), caused by a loss of blood circulation to areas of the brain. The specific neurologic deficits vary depending on the location, extent of the damage, and cause of the disorder.

Strokes secondary to cardiogenic embolism are caused by emboli (moving blood clots) that develop in the heart. The embolus travels through the bloodstream and becomes stuck in a small artery in the brain. This stroke typically occurs suddenly with immediate maximum loss of brain functions (neurologic deficit). It is not associated with activity levels, but it can occur at any time. Heart arrhythmias are commonly seen with this disorder, and are often the cause of the embolus.

Risks for stroke secondary to cardiogenic embolism include a history of heart valve replacement, arrhythmias (especially atrial fibrillation), infective endocarditis, acute MI, mitral valve prolapse, other heart valve disorders, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and blood clots anywhere in the body.