Publication:

Clinical study of 2D Echo cardiography findings in stroke- ischemic patients

Background The Echocardiography is the mainstay investigation tool used in stroke patients. Stroke has acquired third place as leading cause of death with ischemic stroke being very common among all the types of the stroke.Objective of the study was to evaluate 2D Echo cardiography findings in the stroke (ischemic) patients.

Methods Hospital based cross sectional study was carried out among the confirmed 50 patients of ischemic stroke. Routine investigations has been done to all the patients included in the study, specific investigations like 2D echo and CT brain (Plain), Doppler study of carotids and fasting lipid profile has been done.

Results Majority of the study subjects belonged to the age group of 60-69 years i.e. 36% followed by the age group of 50-59 years. The most common risk factor for this ischemic stroke found out in the present study was hypertension in 66% of the cases. The prevalence of ischemic stroke was 70% in the males and 30% in the females. Out of 50 cases, 43 cases i.e. 86% were having abnormal lipid profile. Bilateral carotid atherosclerosis (64%) is more common than the unilateral carotid atherosclerosis (36%) on color Doppler study. Mitral annular calcification was the most common finding in 2D ECHO study in 52% of the cases.

Conclusions Males are more affected than females. Hypertension and smoking are two major and predominant risk factors for stroke. Elderly age group is commonly affected. Bilateral carotid atherosclerosis is common finding on color Doppler study and Mitral annular calcification the most common finding in 2D ECHO study.