Can A Cardiac CT Scan in an Acute Stroke Setting Make Cardioembolic Aetiology Detection and Management Easier?

Abstract

Cardioembolic strokes have a higher mortality rate (around 27%), which is higher than other types of strokes. Those patients who have early embolic recurrence (1-10% risk) have an in-hospital mortality rate of up to 77%. Thus, identification of this stroke aetiology is important to reduce morbidity and mortality. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is unanimously considered the most common cause of cardioembolism, but we are yet to be sure about the timing and duration of atrial fibrillation responsible for a stroke.