Ana Catarina Fonseca is Invited Assistant Professor at the Institute of Pharmacology and Neuroscience of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon and was awarded an honourable mention in the amount of 5,000 euros under the “Banco Carregosa/SRNOM Award” for the project “Cardiac imaging in ischemic stroke of undetermined cause”.

news@FMUL spoke to the Professor, who explained that “in about 30% of ischemic strokes, it is not possible to determine an etiology. This often happens even after a thorough clinical study. It is possible that a fraction of these strokes, called strokes of undetermined etiology, have a cardioembolic etiology. However, these patients do not have an established diagnosis that is currently considered to be at high risk for a cardioembolic etiology (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter).

In the current study, we hypothesized that a pattern compatible with a prothrombotic condition may be present in the atrium and left atrial appendage in patients classified as having a stroke of undetermined cause, in the absence of atrial fibrillation.

This observational, prospective study, intended to evaluate, using cardiac magnetic resonance, the morphology and function of the atrium and left atrial appendage of patients with undetermined stroke and compare it with that found in patients with stroke associated with atrial fibrillation and that of patients with other determined stroke etiologies (large vessels and small vessels disease).

The team of researchers was formed by neurologists and cardiologists (Professor Ana G Almeida) who work at Santa Maria Hospital and at the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon”.

To what extent can this project change the lives of patients?

Ana Catarina Fonseca: This study demonstrates that in these patients with a stroke whose cause is considered undetermined, there are changes in the left atrium that can favour the formation of thrombi (fibrosis, changes in size, decreased ejection fraction) similar to those found in patients with atrial fibrillation. This phenotype that has been detected can be evaluated in clinical trials to determine which therapy to use in these patients in the future.

How did you receive the news of the award of this honourable mention and what did you feel when you received this award?

Ana Catarina Fonseca: I received a call from the Medical Association. This award is a positive reinforcement, in the sense that it indicates that the research we are currently conducting is deemed relevant.

Will the amount of this mention allow you to contribute to the development of any other point in your work?

Ana Catarina Fonseca: In this study, we evaluated only patients over the age of 50 years. We now intend to analyse individuals aged <50 years.

This award is given by the Northern Regional Section of the Medical Association in association with Banco Carregosa.

Congratulations Professor Ana Catarina Fonseca!