Aortic atherosclerosis as an embolic source

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in several industrial countries and cardiogenic embolism accounts for 15–30 % of ischaemic strokes [1–5]. The diagnosis of a cardioembolic source of stroke is frequently uncertain and relies on the identification of a potential cardiac source of embolism in the absence of significant autochthonous cerebrovascular occlusive disease. In this regard, echocardiography (either transthoracic – TTE or Transoesophageal – TEE) serves as a cornerstone in the evaluation and diagnosis of these patients [6, 7].