Stroke Secondary to Cardiogenic Embolism

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Diagnosis & Tests

A person's medical history may indicate a risk for systemic emboli (clots that travel through the bloodstream from another location in the body). An examination may include neurologic, motor and sensory testing to determine the specific neurologic deficits present because they often correspond closely to the location of the injury to the brain.

The examination may show the following:

• changes in vision or visual fields
• clots in the retina of the eye
• changes in reflexes including abnormal reflexes or abnormal extent of "normal" reflexes
• abnormal eye movements
• muscle weakness
• decreased sensation

The pulse may be irregular. Abnormal sounds may be heard by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. There may be signs of emboli (splinter hemorrhages, etc.).

Tests include:

• Head CT scan
• MRI of head, MRA of the head
• ECG showing arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation
• Echocardiogram to determine other heart disorders
• Transcranial doppler (ultrasound of the head)