[Cardiovascular risk factors and echocardiography in patients victims of ischemic stroke in brazzaville: 83 cases].

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the cardiovascular risk factors and evaluate the usefulness of echocardiography in the assessment ischemic stroke.

METHODS

Prospective and descriptive study in the neurology department of the teaching hospital of Brazzaville between June 2011 and June 2012, 83 patients enrolled and 55 echocardiograms performed.

RESULTS

The risk factors found were: obesity (19, 22.8%), overweight (16, 19.2%), high blood pressure (44, 53%), diabetes (14, 16.8%), dyslipidemia (6, 7.2%), and smoking (2). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 68.5 ± 10.3%. There was a hypokinetic and dilated cardiomyopathy in four cases (7.2%), left ventricular hypertrophy in eight cases (14.5%), left atrial enlargement in 13 cases (23.6%). We have identified a tight mitral stenosis. The diastolic profile was a relaxation-type disorder in 46 patients (83.6%). Echocardiography identified 12 (14.4%) lesions potentially embolic: dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 4), ischemic heart disease (n = 6), tight mitral stenosis (n = 1), acute pulmonary heart post-embolic (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Echocardiography is an essential examination for the investigation of a cardioembolic cause in the assessment of a stroke, enabling therapeutic adaptation..