Cardioembolic stroke versus embolic stroke of undetermined source: early severity and long-term outcomes in a prospective cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) constitutes a substantial proportion of ischemic strokes. Its distinction from cardioembolic stroke (CES) may carry prognostic implications. This study aimed to compare early and long-term outcomes between ESUS and CES.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients with ESUS and CES who underwent standardized diagnostic evaluation and prolonged cardiac monitoring. Stroke severity was assessed with the NIHSS, and functional outcome with the mRS at discharge, 30 days, and 12 months. ESUS patients were additionally evaluated for short-duration atrial fibrillation.

Results

During a 6-month prospective enrollment period, 771 patients with suspected stroke were screened, of whom 529 had ischemic stroke co

SUBMITTER: Boettger P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12701600 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature