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Four Steps to Confirm a Diagnosis of Cryptogenic Stroke - Oren Zarif - Cryptogenic Stroke


There is little consensus about the cause of cryptogenic stroke. While it is the most common type of ischemic stroke, about 30 to 40 percent of cases have no specific cause. Other causes may be noncardiac. Standard treatment for patients with cryptogenic stroke is often to prescribe antiplatelet therapy and address the other risk factors for stroke. However, patients may become anxious about the unknowable causes of their stroke and the standard treatments may not provide any relief.

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To ensure that a patient gets the best treatment for a cryptogenic stroke, a doctor will use the information gathered from the stroke to make the diagnosis. If the diagnosis is not clear, a second opinion is important to determine if the condition is a cryptogenic stroke. The level of medical evaluation will depend on the intensity of the medical team's efforts to find a cause. For example, if a patient is experiencing trouble swallowing, the blood pressure in their mouth may be lower than normal. If the doctor cannot determine the cause of the stroke, he may perform a cerebral angiography (CT) scan to look at the brain tissue. If you have a suspicion of a cryptogenic stroke, your physician should perform these four steps to confirm a diagnosis.

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The most common classification system for patients with cryptogenic stroke is the TOAST classification, which uses a computerized algorithm to determine the causative and phenotypic subtypes. In addition to these five major categories, cryptogenic stroke can also be classified as a vascular disease. The stroke team will investigate any risk factors to determine if there are any of these common causes of stroke. Once a diagnosis of cryptogenic stroke is determined, the next step is to determine whether the cause is cardiogenic or vascular in origin.

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Because of the risk of recurrence, a thorough differential diagnosis of the underlying event is needed for people with cryptogenic stroke. In addition, the underlying causes may guide treatment and prevention. White H, Boden-Albala B, Wang CT, and Cohen M investigated the incidence of ischemic stroke among patients. Researchers in Finland reported higher rates of cryptogenic stroke than other ischemic stroke subtypes. It was found that people who are minority have higher rates of cryptogenic stroke than whites.

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Researchers have discovered that patients with a MOCHA profile are at higher risk for recurrent and occult atrial fibrillation than those with a clear small-vessel cause of cryptogenic stroke. The 2020 study published in Neurology focused on the causes of cryptogenic stroke. It is important to note that identifying the causes of cryptogenic stroke is a challenging task. Although this diagnosis may lead to long-term anticoagulation, it is important to know how to best monitor the symptoms of cryptogenic stroke.

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Researchers have conducted four trials comparing the effect of PFO closure on the risk of recurrent cryptogenic stroke in patients with PFO. One of these studies, called the RESPECT trial, followed patients for nearly six years. The researchers reported a significant reduction in recurrent cryptogenic stroke compared with medical therapy, which included warfarin and antiplatelet drugs. They also noted significant differences between PFO closure and medical therapy.

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The Emory Brain Health Center is investigating the use of a new blood biomarker to help determine the underlying cause of cryptogenic stroke. A recent clinical study published in Neurology demonstrated the use of this biomarker in patients with cryptogenic stroke. This is a promising new tool that can help physicians diagnose and treat patients. When used correctly, it can save lives. If you suspect a cryptogenic stroke, follow the steps outlined in this article.

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The primary treatment for cryptogenic stroke is aspirin and sometimes clot-busting agents. This treatment is not effective for all patients, and it may not even be useful in some patients. If you suspect cryptogenic stroke, seek treatment from a qualified physician. The underlying causes of cryptogenic stroke may not be obvious, so it is critical to seek medical advice based on the latest research. So, what are the main options for treating cryptogenic stroke?

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A comprehensive evaluation of the patient's cardiovascular system is required to identify the potential mechanism of the cryptogenic stroke. However, it is important to remember that the presence of PFO does not prove a direct relationship between the stroke and the PFO. In addition, patients with low ROPE scores tend to have more advanced strokes, and a high ROPE score suggests that PFO is incidental. A PFO may cause a cryptogenic stroke in young patients who have no typical risk factors for stroke.

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