Predictors of Complex Aortic Plaques in Patients Undergoing Transoesophageal Echocardiography

Introduction:Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most important causes of ischaemic stroke according to the TOAST classification. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is a widely used scoring system for estimating systemic thromboembolism in patients with non-valvular AF. TOAST classification indicates that an ischaemic stroke may also be due to large artery atherosclerosis. Since some of the atherosclerotic risk factors also occur in the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system, we hypothesised that this scoring system can also predict the presence of complex aortic plaques and their stroke risk.Methods:We retrospectively investigated 551 patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography and subsequent transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Baseline characteristics of the patients were recorded, and theCHA2DS2-VASc score was calculated before the TEE examination. Aortic plaques are classified as complex when they are protruding more than 4 mm, mobile or have irregular boundaries.Results:Among 551 patients, 110 complex aortic plaques (CAPs) were detected. Considering all the patients, higher CHA2DS2-VASc score [odds ratio (OR): 2.905], increasing age (OR: 1.056), and male (OR: 3.008) were significantly associated with CAP. CHA2DS2-VASc score was even more significantly associated with CAP in patients with a previous stroke [p