Ischaemic Stroke and the Echocardiographic "Bubble Study": Are We Screening the Right Patients?
Agitated saline testing
Bubble study
Cryptogenic stroke
Ischaemic stroke
Patent foramen ovale
RoPE score
Journal
Heart, lung & circulation
ISSN: 1444-2892
Titre abrégé: Heart Lung Circ
Pays: Australia
ID NLM: 100963739
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Aug 2019
Aug 2019
Historique:
received:
12
02
2018
revised:
08
05
2018
accepted:
18
07
2018
pubmed:
23
8
2018
medline:
18
12
2019
entrez:
23
8
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a potential mechanism for paradoxical embolism in cryptogenic ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). PFO is typically demonstrated with agitated saline ("bubble study", BS) during echocardiography. We hypothesised that the BS is frequently requested in patients that have a readily identifiable cause of stroke, that any PFO detected is likely incidental, and its detection often does not alter management. This was a retrospective observational study of patients with recent ischaemic stroke/TIA referred for a BS. Patient demographics, stroke risk factors, vascular/cerebral imaging results and transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) reports were recorded. A "modified" Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) score was calculated. Change in management was defined as antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy alteration or referral for PFO closure. Bubble Study complications were recorded. Among 715 patients with ischaemic stroke/TIA referred for a BS, 8.7% had atrial fibrillation and 9.2% had carotid stenosis ≥70%. At least three stroke risk factors were present in 39.3% and only 47.1% of patients screened had a "modified" RoPE score of >5. A PFO was detected in 248 patients of whom only 31% (77/248) had a subsequent change in management. Of BS performed, 1/924 patients (0.1%) suffered a TIA as a complication. The echocardiographic BS is frequently performed in patients that have a readily identifiable cause of stroke and whose PFO unlikely relates to the stroke/TIA. Bubble Study findings resulted in a change in management in the minority. The procedure is safe but the complication rate warrants informed consent.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a potential mechanism for paradoxical embolism in cryptogenic ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). PFO is typically demonstrated with agitated saline ("bubble study", BS) during echocardiography. We hypothesised that the BS is frequently requested in patients that have a readily identifiable cause of stroke, that any PFO detected is likely incidental, and its detection often does not alter management.
METHODS
METHODS
This was a retrospective observational study of patients with recent ischaemic stroke/TIA referred for a BS. Patient demographics, stroke risk factors, vascular/cerebral imaging results and transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) reports were recorded. A "modified" Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) score was calculated. Change in management was defined as antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy alteration or referral for PFO closure. Bubble Study complications were recorded.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Among 715 patients with ischaemic stroke/TIA referred for a BS, 8.7% had atrial fibrillation and 9.2% had carotid stenosis ≥70%. At least three stroke risk factors were present in 39.3% and only 47.1% of patients screened had a "modified" RoPE score of >5. A PFO was detected in 248 patients of whom only 31% (77/248) had a subsequent change in management. Of BS performed, 1/924 patients (0.1%) suffered a TIA as a complication.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
The echocardiographic BS is frequently performed in patients that have a readily identifiable cause of stroke and whose PFO unlikely relates to the stroke/TIA. Bubble Study findings resulted in a change in management in the minority. The procedure is safe but the complication rate warrants informed consent.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30131285
pii: S1443-9506(18)31834-1
doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2018.07.007
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Clinical Trial
Journal Article
Multicenter Study
Observational Study
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1183-1189Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). All rights reserved.