Next-generation transcarotid artery revascularization: TransCarotid flOw Reversal Cerebral Protection And CGUARD MicroNET-Covered Embolic Prevention Stent System To Reduce Strokes - TOPGUARD Study.

BACKGROUND: Stent-assisted carotid artery revascularization employing surgical cutdown for transcervical access and dynamic flow reversal (TCAR) is gaining popularity. TCAR, despite maximized intra-procedural cerebral protection, shows a marked excess of 30-day neurologic complications in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic stenoses. The TCAR conventional single-layer stent (free-cell area 5.89mm2) inability to seal embologenic lesions may be particularly relevant after the flow reversal neuroprotection is terminated. METHODS: We evaluated peri-procedural and 30-day major adverse cerebral and cardiac events (MACCE) of TCAR (ENROUTE, SilkRoad Medical) paired with MicroNET-covered neuroprotective stent (CGuard, InspireMD) in consecutive patients at elevated risk of complications with transfemoral/transradial filter-protected stenting (increased lesion-related and/or access-related risk). CGuard (MicroNET free cell area ≈0.02-0.03 mm2) has level-1 evidence for reducing intra- and abolishing post-procedural lesion-related cerebral embolism. RESULTS: One hundred and six increased-risk patients (age 72 [61-76] years, median [Q1-Q3]; 60.4% symptomatic, 49.1% diabetic, 36.8% women, 61.3% left-sided index lesion) were enrolled in three vascular surgery centers. Angiographic stenosis severity was 81 (75-91)%, lesion length 21 (15-26)mm, increased-risk lesional characteristics 87.7%. Study stent use was 100% (no other stent types). 74.5% lesions were predilated; post-dilatation rate was 90.6%. Flow reversal duration was 8 (5-11)min. One stroke (0.9%) occurred in an asymptomatic patient prior to establishing neuroprotection (index lesion disruption with the sheath insertion wire); there were no other peri-procedural MACCE. No further adverse events occurred by 30-days. 30-day stent patency was 100% with normal velocities and absence of any in-stent material by Duplex Doppler. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high proportion of increased-risk lesions and clinically symptomatic patients in this study, TCAR employing the MicroNET-covered anti-embolic stent showed 30-day MACCE rate <1%. This suggests a clinical role for combining maximized intra-procedural prevention of cerebral embolism by dynamic flow reversal with anti-embolic stent prevention of peri- and post-procedural cerebral embolism (TOPGUARD NCT04547387).

Carotid artery stenting with flow inversion cerebral protection and MicroNet-covered stent.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to evaluate the association of proximal flow-inversion cerebral protection and MicroNet-covered CGuard stents in reducing early and late embolic events in carotid artery stenting procedures. METHODS: From 2018 to 2023, we performed 204 procedures in 180 patients with flow inversion cerebral protection and CGuard stents at the Vascular Surgery Unit of Sant'Eugenio Hospital in Rome. Cerebral protection was achieved with a Flow-Gate2 catheter connected to a peripheral vein. The tip balloon is inflated in the CCA to obtain an effective endoclamping, the pressure difference between the carotid bifurcation and the venous compartment ensures a constant back flow with wash-out in the venous compartment. Inclusion criteria were: life expectancy of >12 months, target lesions indicating treatment according to ESVS Guidelines, increased surgical risk due to comorbidities or anatomic issues. ECD follow-up was performed immediately postoperatively, at 30 days, 6 and 12 months, and subsequently annually. RESULTS: The treatment protocol was successfully implemented in 99% of cases. No major strokes occurred, while one minor stroke (0.5%) occurred within 8 hours of the procedure, regressing in the following months. One perioperative death (0.5%) due to cerebral hemorrhage occurred three hours after the procedure. All patients remained asymptomatic, with no short or medium-term neurological score deterioration. One hemodynamically significant restenosis (0.5%) was detected at the 6-month follow-up. All patients completed the 6 months follow-up, though 6 (3%) were lost at the 12-month appointment. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective monocentric study has demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of the FlowGate2 flow inversion cerebral protection system in association with MicroNet covered CGuard stent.

Retrograde cerebral embolism and pulmonary embolism caused by patent ductus arteriosus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Although rare, paradoxical embolism sometimes occurs with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This study presents a case of PDA-associated paradoxical embolism with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and pulmonary embolism (PE) following thoracoscopic surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old woman developed acute-onset aphasia and right hemiparesis on the third day following thoracoscopic resection for a right lung tumor. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple infarcts, and lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasound revealed deep vein thrombosis. The patient subsequently developed dyspnea, tachycardia, and hypoxemia. PE was confirmed by percutaneous transfemoral venous selective pulmonary angiography, which meanwhile demonstrated a PDA lesion. The patient, after receiving catheter-directed thrombolysis and inferior vena cava filter placement, improved in both neurological and respiratory status. CONCLUSION: For an uncommon but potentially fatal case with PDA-induced paradoxical embolism causing AIS and PE, early recognition and treatment are vital. Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal management and prognosis of patients with PDA-related embolic events.

[Cerebral gas embolism as a complication of diffuse interstitial lung disease] / Embolismo gaseoso cerebral como complicación de una enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa.

Introduction: Cerebral gas embolism is an unusual but extremely serious condition that occurs when air is introduced into the arterial or venous circulation of the brain. Although rare, it can lead to significant neurological deficits and even the death of the patient. Clinical Case: 76-year-old patient with pre-existing diffuse interstitial lung disease, who experienced a massive stroke due to spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Her presentation included confusion, seizures, and motor weakness. Imaging tests revealed air bubbles in the cerebral sulci and hypodense areas in the cerebellum and parietooccipitals. In addition, pneumothorax and air in the upper mediastinum were noted on chest radiographs and chest CT scan. Despite therapeutic measures such as hyperbaric oxygen, the patient unfortunately died due to multiple organ failure. Discussion: The diagnosis of cerebral gas embolism generally involves performing a cerebral computed tomography, which is highly sensitive for detecting the presence of air in the cerebral vessels. Management includes monitoring of vital and neurological signs, as well as specific measures such as airway closure, venous catheter aspiration, Trendelenburg positioning, and hyperbaric oxygen. Conclusion: Cerebral gas embolism is a potentially fatal condition that requires a brain computed tomography for diagnosis and it is vitally important to know the prevention measures to avoid the appearance of this complication and also to know the general measures to adopt when it occurs.

Introducción: La embolia gaseosa cerebral es una afección inusual pero extremadamente grave que se produce cuando se introduce aire en la circulación arterial o venosa del cerebro. Aunque poco común, puede derivar en déficits neurológicos significativos e incluso la muerte del paciente. Caso Clínico: Paciente de 76 años con una enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa preexistente, que experimentó un ictus masivo debido a un neumomediastino espontáneo. Su presentación incluyó confusión, convulsiones y debilidad motora. Las pruebas de imagen revelaron burbujas de aire en los surcos cerebrales y áreas hipodensas en el cerebelo y parietooccipitales. Además, se observó neumotórax y aire en el mediastino superior en las radiografías de tórax y la tomografía torácica. A pesar de las medidas terapéuticas como el oxígeno hiperbárico, la paciente lamentablemente falleció debido al fallo multiorgánico. Discusión: El diagnóstico de embolia gaseosa cerebral generalmente implica la realización de una tomografía computarizada cerebral, que es altamente sensible para detectar la presencia de aire en los vasos cerebrales. El manejo incluye el control de las constantes vitales y neurológicas, así como medidas específicas como cierre de la entrada de aire, aspiración de catéteres venosos, posicionamiento de Trendelenburg y oxígeno hiperbárico. Conclusión: La embolia gaseosa cerebral es una afección potencialmente mortal que requiere una tomografía computarizada cerebral para el diagnóstico y de vital importancia conocer las medidas de prevención para evitar la aparición de esta complicación y así mismo conocer las medidas generales a adoptar cuando ésta se presenta.

Dual-layered micromesh stent technology for embolic prevention in carotid revascularization: technical experience and clinical outcomes from a high-volume interventional radiology center.

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become a cornerstone of carotid revascularization for stroke prevention. Despite the advantages of CAS, large-scale randomized trials involving prior (single-layer) first generation stents (FGS) demonstrated a higher risk of periprocedural cerebrovascular events compared to surgery. Dual-layer mesh-covered stents (DLSs) showed promising results in terms of 30-day embolic events in initial studies; larger-scale evidence is accumulating. This study aims to evaluate 30-day clinical efficacy of DLS against a closed-cell stent, based on large-volume data. METHODS: The study center is part of the Italian National Outcomes Evaluation Program (PNE). CAS procedures performed between November 2017 and September 2023 were eneterd into a prospectively collected database. Our The primary endpoint was survival free of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) at 30 days. In addition, technical success and periprocedural major adverse clinical event rate (with a focus on stroke) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Over a total of 1101 CAS procedures (745 males; mean age 79±7.8 years), 48.6% were symptomatic. Majority (80.2%) were treated with DLSs. Technical success was achieved in 98.9%. The FGSs group showed a significantly higher peri-procedural stroke rate when compared with CGuard and Roadsaver DLS: 4.59% vs. 1.18% vs. 2.63% (P=0.008); minor stroke rates were 4.13% vs. 0.83% and 0% P=0.01). The cumulative stroke, MI and death - free survival at 30 days was 97.46%. A statistically significant higher cumulative 30-day death/stroke/MI rate occurred in FGSs-treated patients compared to the CGuard and Roadsaver DLS-treated (6.42% vs. 1.42% and 2.63%, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of DLS in patients undergoing CAS in our large-volume center showed a high technical success rate and minimal cerebral embolic complications by 30 days. High volumes and an experienced interventional team may contribute to these favorable outcomes.

Persistent intracranial steno-occlusion from calcified embolism: a treatment challenge.

INTRODUCTION: Calcified arterial cerebral embolism is a rare occurrence among large and medium vessel occlusions causing ischemic stroke and its diagnosis and treatment is a challenge. The sources of calcified embolism might be a calcific atheroma from the aortic arch and carotid artery, but also heart valve disease has been reported in the literature. Calcified embolism is frequently simultaneous on multiple vascular territories. The prognosis of patients is usually poor, including patients treated by using endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and this diagnosis could be easily missed in the acute phase. In addition, the optimal secondary prevention has not been yet fully stated. METHODS: We are presenting two cases of acute stroke due to calcified embolism in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) coming from a complicated carotid atheroma, non-stenosing in the first case (a 49 years old man) and stenosing in the second case (a 71 years old man) without clinical indications to intravenous thrombolysis and/or EVT, extensively investigated in the acute phase and followed-up for over 12 months with a favorable clinical course and the persisting steno-occlusion in the involved MCA. In both cases, antiplatelet treatment and targeting of vascular risk factors were done without recurrences in the follow-up period. DISCUSSION: Cerebral calcified embolism has been reported in 5.9% of cases of acute ischemic stroke in a single center series and only in 1.2% of a large retrospective cohort of EVT-treated patients. In both series the prognosis was poor and only one third of EVT-treated patients had functional independence at 3-months follow-up. The natural history of these subtype of ischemic stroke is relatively poorly understood and both etiological diagnosis and treatment have not yet defined. It is possible that some cases might be underdiagnosed and underreported. CONCLUSIONS: Calcified cerebral embolism is a rare cause of stroke, but it is largely underreported and both acute phase and secondary preventive treatment have to be defined.

Vasculitic rash and cerebral emboli in an adolescent with left atrial myxoma.

A previously healthy woman in late adolescence presented to the emergency department with stroke-like symptoms following a two-month history of bilateral foot pain and oedema, accompanied by a macular rash and progressive lower extremity weakness. On further investigation, she was found to have multiple cerebral emboli and a left atrial myxoma fixed to the interatrial septum. The patient subsequently underwent urgent surgical excision of the myxoma. On follow-up, her cutaneous and neurological symptoms were significantly improved. This case suggests that, in the presence of a vasculitic rash without evident or obvious cause, cardiac myxoma should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Cerebral Embolism and MINOCA Secondary to Left Atrial Myxoma after Occlusion of Atrial Septal Defect by Amplatzer Occluder: A Case Report.

Primary heart tumors are rare, with atrial myxomas being the most common type. Atrial myxomas can lead to embolisms, heart obstruction, and systemic symptoms. Herein, we report a case of 72-year-old woman who presented with a left atrial myxoma at the atrial septal defect occluder, a new acute cerebral infarction, and MINOCA (myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary atherosclerosis). Left atrial myxoma is a common primary cardiac tumor; however, left atrial myxomas arising after percutaneous atrial septal defect occlusion are rare. Additionally, the patient presented with a new case of multiple systemic emboli. The patient underwent surgical resection of a left atrial myxoma, occluder, and left atrium, and atrial septal repair, and was discharged with good recovery for outpatient follow-up. The possibility of a cardiac tumor, especially an atrial myxoma, which can lead to a series of complications, should be considered at the closure site after percutaneous atrial septal closure. Therefore, active surgical treatment and long-term follow-up are warranted in such cases.

Sex-Specific Risk Factors of Nonstenotic Carotid Plaque in Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Many ischemic strokes are diagnosed as embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS). Recent evidence suggests that nonstenotic carotid plaque (nsCP) may be a substantial contributor to the risk for ESUS. We aimed to investigate the risk factor profile associated with nsCP in ESUS and defined stroke etiologies. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, we investigated consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke due to ESUS, small-vessel disease, or cardioembolism proven by magnetic resonance imaging. The association of vascular risk factors age, arterial hypertension, diabetes, dyslipoproteinemia, body mass index, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, kidney failure, and history of stroke with the presence of nsCP was investigated using binary logistic regression analysis and further stratified by stroke etiology and sex. RESULTS: In total, 609 patients (median age, 76 years; 46% women) who were treated from 2018 to 2020 were considered. In patients with ESUS, sex played a more important role for the prevalence of nsCP than in defined etiologies. Female patients with ESUS had lower odds of exhibiting nsCP compared with male patients with ESUS (adjusted odds ratio, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.15-0.86]). In male patients with ESUS, we observed that age (adjusted odds ratio per 10-year increase, 2.55 [95% CI, 1.26-5.17]) and hypertension (adjusted odds ratio, 2.49 [95% CI, 0.56-11.1]) were the main risk factors for nsCP, whereas in female patients with ESUS also tobacco use was particularly relevant (adjusted odds ratio, 3.71 [95% CI, 0.61-22.5]). These results were in line with a sensitivity analysis in nsCP located ipsilateral to the infarct. CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences play an important role in nsCP prevalence in patients with ESUS. These findings may have important implications for the management in targeted secondary prevention following ESUS.

[Cerebral arterial air embolism: the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy]. / Cerebrale arteriële luchtembolie.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic gas embolism is the presence of gas in vascular structures. Feared are those in coronary or cerebral arteries. These can result in cerebral or myocardial infarction. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 79-year-old female underwent CT-guided biopsy of the lung. Minutes later she developed neurological symptoms. After administration of oxygen her symptoms initially improved, but later worsened. Based on her symptoms air embolism was suspected. She recovered fully after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. CONCLUSION: Air embolism is a potentially life-threatening complication of surgical, radiological or vascular interventions. Early recognition can lead to prompt treatment and better prognosis. If air embolism is suspected the patient should be treated according to ABCDE principles and oxygen should be administered. In case of neurological or circulatory symptoms a hospital that could provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be contacted as soon as possible.

Diagnostic Accuracy of an Algorithm for Discriminating Presumed Solid and Gaseous Microembolic Signals During Transcranial Doppler Examinations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the work described here was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a new algorithm (SGA-a) for time-domain analysis of transcranial Doppler audio signals to discriminate presumed solid and gaseous microembolic signals and artifacts (SGAs). METHODS: SGA-a was validated by human experts in an artifact cohort of 20 patients subjected to a 1-h transcranial Doppler exam before cardiac surgery (cohort 1). Emboli were validated in a cohort of 10 patients after aortic valve replacement in a 4-h monitoring period (cohort 2). The SGA misclassification rate was estimated by testing SGA-a on artifact-free test files of solid and gaseous emboli. RESULTS: In cohort 1 (n = 24,429), artifacts were classified with an accuracy of 94.5%. In cohort 2 (n = 12,328), the accuracy in discriminating solid/gaseous emboli from artifacts was 85.6%. The 95% limits of agreement for, respectively, the numbers of presumed solids and gaseous emboli, artifacts and microembolic signals of undetermined origin were [-10, 10], [-14, 7] and [-9, 16], and the intra-class correction coefficients were 0.99, 0.99 and 0.99, respectively. The rate of misclassification of solid test files was 2%, and the rate of misclassification of gaseous test files was 12%. CONCLUSION: SGA-a can detect presumed solid and gaseous microembolic signals and differentiate them from artifacts. SGA-a could be of value when both solid and gaseous emboli may jeopardize brain function such as seen during cardiac valve and/or aortic arch replacement procedures.

Management of anticoagulation in patients with infective endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) carries a high risk of vascular complications (e.g., cerebral embolism, intracerebral hemorrhage, and renal infarction), which are correlated with increased early and late mortality. Although anticoagulation is the cornerstone for management of thromboembolic complications, it remains controversial and challenging in patients with IE. An appropriate anticoagulation strategy is crucial to improving outcomes and requires a good understanding of the indication, timing, and regimen of anticoagulation in the setting of IE. Observational studies have shown that anticoagulant treatment failed to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in patents with IE, supporting that IE alone is not an indication for anticoagulation. In the absence of randomized controlled trials and high-quality meta-analyses, however, current guidelines on IE were based largely on observational data and expert opinion, providing few specific recommendations on anticoagulation. A multidisciplinary approach and patient engagement are required to determine the timing and regimen of anticoagulation in patients with IE, especially in specific situations (e.g., receiving warfarin anticoagulation at the time of IE diagnosis, cerebral embolism or ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or urgent surgery). Collectively, individualized strategies on anticoagulation management of IE should be based on clinical evaluation, available evidence, and patient engagement, and ultimately be developed by the multidisciplinary team.

Spontaneous calcific cerebral embolization revealing a calcified rheumatic mitral stenosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral cardiac embolism accounts for an increasing proportion of ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks. Calcified cerebral emboli are rare and mostly iatrogenic secondary to heart or aorta catheterization. However, spontaneous cerebral calcified embolism in the case of calcified aortic valve is very rare and there are less than 10 case reports in the literature. And a more interesting fact is that such an event, in the context of calcified mitral valve disease, has never been reported, at least to our knowledge. We are reporting a case of spontaneous calcified cerebral embolism revealing a calcified rheumatic mitral valve stenosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 59 year-old Moroccan patient, with a history of rheumatic fever at the age of 14 and no history of recent cardiac intervention or aortic/carotid manipulation, who was admitted to the emergency department after a transient ischemic attack. Physical examination at admission found normal blood pressure of 124/79 mmHg and heart rate of 90 bpm. A 12-lead electrocardiogram showed an atrial fibrillation, no other anomalies. Unenhanced cerebral computed tomography imaging was performed, revealing calcified material inside both middle cerebral arteries. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed, showing severe mitral leaflets calcification with a severe mitral stenosis, probably due to rheumatic heart disease. Cervical arteries Duplex was normal. A vitamin K antagonist (acenocoumarol) was prescribed, targeting an international normalized ratio of 2-3 and mitral valve replacement surgery was performed using mechanical prosthesis. Short- and long-term health, with a 1-year follow-up, were good and the patient did not experience any stroke. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous calcified cerebral emboli secondary to mitral valve leaflet calcifications is an extremely rare condition. Replacement of the valve is the only option to prevent recurrent emboli and outcomes are still to be determined.

Stroke Recurrence in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source Without Atrial Fibrillation on Invasive Cardiac Monitoring.

BACKGROUND: More than half of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) suffer from recurrent ischaemic stroke, despite the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF) on invasive cardiac monitoring (ICM). This study investigated the predictors and prognosis of recurrent stroke in ESUS without AF on ICM. METHOD: This prospective study included patients with ESUS at two tertiary hospitals from 2015 to 2021 who underwent comprehensive neurological imaging, transthoracic echocardiography, and inpatient continuous electrographic monitoring for ≥48 hours prior to ICM for definitive exclusion of AF. Recurrent ischaemic stroke, all-cause mortality, and functional outcome by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months were evaluated in patients without AF. RESULTS: Of 185 consecutive patients with ESUS, AF was not detected in 163 (88%) patients (age 62±12 years, 76% men, 25% prior stroke, median time to ICM insertion 26 [7, 123] days), and stroke recurred in 24 (15%) patients. Stroke recurrences were predominantly ESUS (88%), within the first 2 years (75%), and involved a different vascular territory from qualifying ESUS (58%). Pre-existing cancer was the only independent predictor of recurrent stroke (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 5.43, 95% CI 1.43-20.64), recurrent ESUS (AHR 5.67, 95% CI 1.15-21.21), and higher mRS score at 3 months (ß 1.27, 95% CI 0.23-2.42). All-cause mortality occurred in 17 (10%) patients. Adjusting for age, cancer, and mRS category (≥3 vs <3), recurrent ESUS was independently associated with more than four times greater hazard of death (AHR 4.66, 95% CI 1.76-12.34). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with recurrent ESUS are a high-risk subgroup. Studies elucidating optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies in non-AF-related ESUS are urgently required.

[Cerebral Embolism:Endovascular Techniques and Devices].

Thrombectomy has proven its efficacy in several randomized clinical trials. Although considerable clinical evidence supports its efficacy, the optimal device or technique has not been proven. There is a diversity of devices and techniques; therefore, we need to know about them and choose suitable ones. Recently, a combined technique with a stent retriever and aspiration catheter has become common. However, no evidence to support the superiority of the combined technique in improving patient outcomes compared with the stent retriever alone.

[Cerebral Embolism:System of Care].

The efficacy and safety of endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion have been established, and a shorter time from onset to reperfusion has a strong impact on the outcome. Therefore, improving the stroke system of care, including ambulance transportation, is important. Trials on efficient transport have been conducted using the pre-hospital stroke scale, comparison of mothership and drip and ship systems, and workflow after arrival to stroke centers. The Japan Stroke Society has started to certify primary stroke centers and core primary stroke centers(thrombectomy-capable stroke centers). We review the literature on stroke systems of care and discuss policies that academic societies and policies are aiming for in Japan.

Surgical and percutaneous left atrial appendage intervention: silent cerebral embolism considerations.

OBJECTIVES: Left atrial appendage intervention is an alternative to oral anticoagulation for thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation. The aim of our study was to compare the incidence of silent cerebral embolisms after surgical and percutaneous intervention and to identify the risk factors for procedure-related silent cerebral embolisms after intervention. METHODS: This prospective observational study included consecutive atrial fibrillation patients from 2 independent cohorts (left atrial appendage excision (LAAE) cohort and left atrial appendage occlusion cohort) between September 2018 and December 2020. All patients underwent cerebral magnetic resonance imaging before and after the procedure. Silent cerebral embolism was defined as new focal hyperintense lesions detected only on postprocedural sequence. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients from the LAAE cohort and 42 patients from the occlusion cohort were enrolled. A significantly lower incidence of silent cerebral embolism was observed in the LAAE cohort as compared with occlusion (6.3% vs 54.8%, P < 0.001). In the left atrial appendage occlusion cohort, patients who developed silent cerebral embolism after the procedure had significantly higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores [odds ratio (OR) 2.172; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.149-4.104; P = 0.017], longer occlusion placement time (OR 1.067; 95% CI 1.018-1.118; P = 0.006) and lower peak activated clotting time level after transseptal puncture (OR 0.976; 95% CI 0.954-0.998; P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of procedure-related silent cerebral embolism was strikingly lower in patients with LAAE than in patients with occlusion. More cardiovascular comorbidities, longer occlusion placement time and lower activated clotting time level were significantly associated with the development of procedure-related silent cerebral embolism.