Ischemic stroke can result from a variety of causes, such as atherosclerosis of the cerebral circulation, occlusion of cerebral small vessels, and cardiac embolism. Of these causes, cardioembolic stroke has a particular significance because cardiac embolism causes more severe strokes than other ischemic stroke subtypes. In about 20% of patients who have had ischemic stroke, a major risk cardiac source, such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or left ventricular thrombi, is identified. Thus, assessing the presence of AF, and the risk […]