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Review
. 2016 May;34(2):225-30.
doi: 10.1016/j.ccl.2015.12.004. Epub 2016 Mar 9.

Atrial Septal Defects and Cardioembolic Strokes

Michelle Leppert  1 , Sharon N Poisson  1 , John D Carroll  2
Affiliations
Review

Atrial Septal Defects and Cardioembolic Strokes

Michelle Leppert et al. Cardiol Clin. 2016 May.

Abstract

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) can be complicated by cardioembolic strokes, but the exact incidence is unknown. Patients with large and small shunts may present with a cardioembolic stroke. Patients with cryptogenic strokes should have cardiac ultrasound to see if an ASD is present. Cardioembolic strokes associated with ASD principally occur with 2 mechanisms. The first is paradoxic embolism involving a venous-based source of thrombus, which may subsequently pass through the ASD by right-to-left shunting, causing a cardioembolic stroke. The second is atrial fibrillation that can complicate the course of patients with ASDs, especially as they age.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Atrial septal defect; Paradoxic embolism; Shunt; Stroke.

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