indications for echocardiography in stroke
Last reviewed 01/2018
The indications for echocardiography in a patient with stroke include:
- atrial fibrillation
- heart failure or cardiomegaly on the chest radiograph
- myocardial infarction within 3 months
- ECG abnormalities:
- suggestive of myocardial infarction
- new bundle branch block
- cardiac murmur
- peripheral embolism in addition to stroke
- events in two or more territories:
- left vs. right
- anterior vs. posterior circulations
- two or more cortical events unless severe ipsilateral carotid disease
Reference:
- Sandercok PA. Management of acute stroke. Prescriber's journal (1993);33(5):196-205.