Editors' note: Undetermined stroke genesis and hidden cardiomyopathies determined by cardiac magnetic resonance

Abstract

In “Undetermined stroke genesis and hidden cardiomyopathies determined by cardiac magnetic resonance,” Fonseca et al. reported a higher frequency of cardiomyopathies identified on cardiac MRI in patients with ischemic stroke than in the general population, particularly among patients with stroke of undetermined etiology. Lattanzi and Silvestrini commended the authors' contribution to our understanding of embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS). To learn more about this patient population, Lattanzi and Silvestrini recommended a thorough review of data on demographics, stroke severity, and location and evaluation for embolic sources in patients with ESUS to assess for the presence of unique phenotypes that would benefit from specific diagnostic algorithms and therapeutic approaches. Fonseca and Ferro agreed with the need for further evaluation of this patient population and, based on their findings, recommended increased use of cardiac MRI. However, they noted that it is not feasible to do this for all patients with ESUS and acknowledged the need to clarify which patients would benefit from it the most. In “Undetermined stroke genesis and hidden cardiomyopathies determined by cardiac magnetic resonance,” Fonseca et al. reported a higher frequency of cardiomyopathies identified on cardiac MRI in patients with ischemic stroke than in the general population, particularly among patients with stroke of undetermined etiology. Lattanzi and Silvestrini commended the authors' contribution to our understanding of embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS). To learn more about this patient population, Lattanzi and Silvestrini recommended a thorough review of data on demographics, stroke severity, and location and evaluation for embolic sources in patients with ESUS to assess for the presence of unique phenotypes that would benefit from specific diagnostic algorithms and therapeutic approaches. Fonseca and Ferro agreed with the need for further evaluation of this patient population and, based on their findings, recommended increased use of cardiac MRI. However, they noted that it is not feasible to do this for all patients with ESUS and acknowledged the need to clarify which patients would benefit from it the most.