Prognosis for Cryptogenic Cerebrovascular Disease: Good, Bad, or Ugly?

The burden of atherosclerosis risk factors is lower in patients with cryptogenic stroke than in those with other stroke subtypes.

Despite the performance of diagnostic tests such as brain computed tomography and carotid ultrasound, up to 30% of transient ischemic attack‎s (TIAs) and strokes may not have a definite etiology but appear to be embolic. These events are classified as “cryptogenic” TIA or stroke. Researchers conducted this study to compare the risk factor profile, prevalence of atherosclerosis and cardioembolism, and short- and long-term outcomes of cryptogenic stroke with other strokes.

They enrolled 1607 patients with stroke and 948 patients with TIA from the longitudinal Oxford Vascular Study and followed them for up to 10 years. Overall, 812 cases (32%) were classified as cryptogenic according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) s…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Prognosis for Cryptogenic Cerebrovascular Disease: Good, Bad, or Ugly?

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Reviewing Author