Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the patients, according to the presence of a cardioembolic source (CES).
| All | Patients with a CES at echocardiography | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| N | % | ||
| Characteristics | |||
| Patients | 84 | 25 | 30 |
| Mean age (years) | 40 | ||
| Female | 47 | 17 | 44 |
| Diagnosed as TIA | 21 | 7 | 33 |
| Diagnosed as CVA | 63 | 18 | 29 |
| Risk factors for atherosclerosis | |||
| Known hypertension* | 18 | 7 | 39 |
| Current smoking | 40 | 8 | 20 |
| Known hypercholesterolaemia* | 4 | 3 | 75 |
| Known diabetes mellitus | 7 | 2 | 29 |
| Positive family history† | 26 | 6 | 23 |
| Clinical characteristics | |||
| Use of antiplatelets | 6 | 2 | 33 |
| Prior TIA or ischaemic stroke | 5 | 2 | 40 |
* p<0.05. There were no significant differences in the other characteristics.† Family history for TIA and ischaemic stroke only. At the time of presentation none of the patients were in atrial fibrillation.