Spontaneous Echo Contrast as a Risk Factor for Cerebrovascular Accident

Spontaneous Echo Contrast as a Risk Factor for Cerebrovascular Accident

Embolic stroke accounts for 20% of ischemic stroke. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) comes third as risk factor for stroke. Dense left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LA SEC) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cerebral embolism in non-valvular AFib. We present an elderly patient with stroke in the left middle cerebral artery territory who was found to have LA SEC as dense as agitated saline on transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). This case stresses the importance of recognizing SEC as a risk factor for stroke.