Aortic atheromas and acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Proximal aortic atheromas > or = 0.5 cm in size are a risk factor for ischemic stroke in patients aged 60 years or older. Ulcerated or mobile atheromas may play a role in explaining some cryptogenic strokes in the elderly. The risk for stroke of patients with aortic atheromas may be similar across different ethnic groups. The absence of carotid stenosis does not exclude aortic atheromas as a potential cause for ischemic stroke.