Introduction

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke is the third leading cause of death in the developed countries after cardiovascular disease and cancer1

Cerebral infarction is responsible for about 80% of all first ever in a lifetime strokes- Primary intracerebral hemorrhage (PICH) for 10% and subarachnoid hemorrhage for 5%.

The incidence of stroke worldwide is 179 per 1,00,000 population in various parts.

A significant number of stroke patients are having coexistent cardiac abnormalities.

1. Jane Prosser, Lachlan MacGregor et al. Predictors of Early Cardiac Morbidity and Mortality After Ischemic Stroke. Stroke 2007,38: 2295-2302.
2. S. Dhamoon, MD, MPH; R.R. Sciacca, Eng ScD et al. Recurrent stroke and cardiac risks after first ischemic stroke. NEUROLOGY 2006; 66;641-646.

Balakrishna GT

Postgraduate, Department of General Medicine, GEMS.