Detecting a Cryptogenic Stroke - Oren Zarif - Cryptogenic Stroke

About 20 to 40 percent of ischemic strokes have no definitive cause. This is known as a "cryptogenic stroke," and several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the cause of this type of stroke. The most common cause of cardioembolism in older patients is atrial fibrillation, which evades detection by conventional monitoring strategies. A similar condition can also cause cryptogenic stroke. This article discusses what you should look for in a patient experiencing this condition.

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The first step to identifying a cryptogenic stroke is to determine if the cause is unknown. Most patients who have this type of stroke do not have any symptoms, but if they do, they should have their heart monitored. A heart monitor is a simple and inexpensive way to find out if this type of stroke is causing the patient's symptoms. If the cause cannot be determined, a patient should get a second opinion.

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Detection of PFO is a useful tool for distinguishing cryptogenic patients from other types. It is useful in determining the risk of cryptogenic stroke for patients with no traditional risk factors. However, PFO is not a reliable indicator of the underlying cause. Detecting a PFO may reduce a patient's risk of stroke. However, it is not a reliable method for identifying cryptogenic patients.

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Because of the lack of a definitive cause, only a small percentage of patients who have a cryptogenic stroke receive a diagnosis. Most patients with cryptogenic strokes are younger and have fewer traditional risk factors. Despite the limited knowledge of these strokes, standard care is often focused on managing the associated risk factors, such as atrial fibrillation, or hypercoagulable states such as Fabry's disease. Regardless of the underlying cause, patients with cryptogenic stroke have a higher risk of recurrent stroke, so it is essential to properly diagnose this type of stroke.

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Despite its high risk, cryptogenic stroke accounts for 30 to 40% of ischemic strokes. Cryptogenic stroke is more prevalent among minorities and younger patients than other types. In Finland, it accounted for almost half of all stroke etiologies, and is also more common among blacks than whites. There are multiple other etiologies of cryptogenic stroke, and the cause of each is complex. However, these are the most important factors in the treatment of cryptogenic stroke and prevention.

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A recent trial, called CLOSE, found that percutaneous closure of PFOs is superior to medical therapy for cryptogenic stroke. Patients who had a PFO were randomized to closure or antiplatelet therapy alone. The study showed that the patients who underwent PFO closure had a lower rate of recurrent cryptogenic stroke than those who had only medical therapy, such as warfarin or antiplatelet agents. The trial also found that the procedure reduced the risk of ischemic stroke by up to 90%.

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While the exact cause of a cryptogenic stroke is unknown, there are some important things you can do to minimize your risk of developing one. To prevent stroke, start by following your physician's advice, and undergoing regular heart monitoring. In addition to these steps, you should live a healthy lifestyle. Here are seven ways to minimize your risk of cryptogenic stroke:

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One of the biggest obstacles to preventing another stroke is finding out what exactly caused it. In most cases, a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain, but one in four survivors will experience another one in their lifetime. This is why it is important to find the cause and get the appropriate diagnostic workup. Knowing the causes of strokes can help to reduce the risk of a repeat attack. To learn more about stroke risk factors, please visit our website.