To describe CT and MRI cardiac imaging findings that might be cause of stroke. To identify subtle cardiac findings in angiographic-CT study usually performed in initial diagnosis of stroke. To perform a proper differential diagnosis in order to establish an optimal therapeutic approach in the acute stroke setting and further preventive therapy.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in developed countries. Worldwide, brain infarction is the second most common cause of mortality and the third most common cause of disability. While the overall rate of stroke-related mortality is decreasing, the absolute number of people with stroke and the global burden of stroke-related disability is high and increasing. Cardiogenic strokes account for approximately 25% of all ischemic strokes, with an increasing risk in elderly population. Overall, it has a similar frequency throughout the world if...

TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview Atrium (> left) High risk causes: atrial fibrillation, atrial thrombi, atrial tumors. Low risk causes: patent foramen ovale, interatrial septal aneurysm, interatrial communication Ventricle (> left) High risk causes: ventricular thrombi and myocardial infarction, ventricular tumors, dilated cardiomyopathy. Low risk causes: myocardial contractility dysfunction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, interventricular communication. Valvular heart disease High risk causes: endocarditis, prosthetic valves, mitral stenosis, papillary fibroelastoma. Low risk causes: annular calcification and prolapse. Rare causes Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy Myocarditis Iatrogenic disease Vascular disease OVERVIEW In...

Radiologists play a pivotal role in stroke diagnosis and management. Further neuroimaging, new cardiac imaging techniques as CT and MRI can be used to identify several subtle cardiac pathologies responsible for stroke that otherwise may remain unnoticed. Radiologists should be able to recognize these findings in order to perform an accurate diagnosis, which is in great value for patient´s management.

Contact details: Dr. Flavio Zuccarino Thoracic Radiology Section. Department of Radiology, Hospital del Mar. Passeig Marítim, 25-29, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. Email: [email protected] Dr. Marta Vilas Resident in training.Department of Radiology, Hospital del Mar. Passeig Marítim, 25-29, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. Email:[email protected] Department of Radiology, Hospital del Mar: Thoracic radiology section: Dr. M. Cufí Dr. L. A. Del Carpio Bellido Dr. F. Fernández Alarza Dr. A. Gayete Cara Dr. E. Ripoll Dr. F. Zuccarino Neuroradiology section: Dr. S. Medrano Resident in training: Dr. M. Vilas Cardiology Department,...

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