Clinical features of recurrent embolization in acute cardioembolic stroke.

Recurrent embolization is a serious problem in acute cardioembolic stroke. However, the clinical features and predisposing factors of recurrent embolization have not been fully elucidated.Subjects were 227 consecutive patients (128 men and 99 women, aged 68.6 +/- 13.2 years) with acute cardioembolic stroke who did not receive anticoagulant therapy during the first 14 days after stroke onset. We assigned the subjects to two groups according to the occurrence or nonoccurrence of recurrent attacks within 14 days of the stroke onset. We assessed their clinical features, coagulation study results, and underlying heart disease.Recurrent brain or systemic embolization during the first 14 days after onset was noted in 46 patients (20.3%, group A) but not in the other 181 (group B). Recurrent embolization was more frequently noted at an early phase than at a late phase during the initial 14 days. Mortality was higher in group A (19.6%) than in group B (8.8%). The mean plasma level of antithrombin III (77.8 +/- 19....