|
|
|
|
Of 968 study patients,mitral valve strands were identified in 22 individuals(2.3%).Mitral valve strands were significantly more common in patients referred for TEE as a result of a recent ischemic cerebrovascular event compared with patients referred for other study indications(6.3% versus 0.3%,respectively;P<.00001).Among patients<50 years of age with likely cardioembolic stroke or transient ischemic attack,16%were found to have mitral valve strands on TEE examination.In 9%of these young patients, no other TEE finding associated with cardioembolic risk was present. Filamentous strands attached to the mitral valve appear to represent another risk factor for embolic cerebral ischemia,particularly in patients<50 years of age. |
|