Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor of embolization into the CNS. Thus affected patients should receive permanent anticoagulant therapy. Oesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can help our decision in patients with relative contraindications of anticoagulant therapy. TEE was performed in 52 patients with atrial fibrillation and cerebrovascular attack (CMP) with an ischaemic aetiology. Transthoracic echocardiography did not reveal the source of embolization. In 10% patients a thrombus was found in the appendage of the left atrium, in another 9% patients a spontaneous echocontrast was found in the left atrium (prethrombotic condition) and in 5% patients an open foramen ovale. The results indicate the highly probable etiology of embolization in patients with cerebrovascular attacks and atrial fibrillation. This supports the recommendation of absolute indication of anticoagulant treatment in patients with cerebrovascular attacks and atrial fibrillation.

Keywords: Adult; Aged; Anticoagulants /therapeutic use/; Atrial Fibrillation /complications/; Cerebrovascular Disorders /etiology/; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Embolism /complications/; Female; Heart Diseases /complications/; Humans; Male; Middle Aged