Cryptogenic stroke and the left atrial septal pouch: a case report

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014 Mar;23(3):564-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.04.009. Epub 2013 May 13.

Abstract

The left atrial septal pouch (LASP) is an anatomic variant of the interatrial septum and may be a nidus for thromboembolism. We present the case of a 49 year-old man without known vascular risk factors who experienced bi-hemispheric strokes over the course of 10 days, suggestive of multiple emboli. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a prominent LASP. We suggest that presence of LASP was a likely cause of stroke in this patient and that further study of a possible association between LASP and ischemic stroke in younger individuals may be warranted.

Keywords: Cryptogenic stroke; cardioembolism; ischemic stroke; left atrial septal pouch.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Brain Ischemia / diagnosis
  • Brain Ischemia / etiology*
  • Cerebral Angiography / methods
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Color
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / complications*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Embolism / diagnosis
  • Intracranial Embolism / etiology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke / diagnosis
  • Stroke / etiology*
  • Time Factors