[Arterial embolism. The detection of the central emboligenic source by transthoracic echocardiography. A study of 38 cases].

38 cases with systemic embolism were studied with transthoracic echocardiography. Patients with previous history of neurologic manifestations or intermittent claudication were excluded. Only patients with good quality echocardiographic studies were included. The goals of the study were: to diagnose intracardiac masses responsible for the embolic episode and to evaluate the study as a guide for medical or surgical therapy in this group of patients in order to prevent new embolic events. In 9 patients an intracardiac mass was identified as responsible for the embolic event, 5 cases located in the left atrium, 2 cases of left ventricular thrombus, 1 case of left atrial myxoma and 1 case of marantic endocarditis. The later two were resected surgically and 3 cases of rheumatic mitral valve disease and 1 case of left ventricular aneurism were corrected surgically. It is concluded that transthoracic echocardiography is a valuable study in this patients not only as a diagnostic tool but as a guide to surgical and medical management.