Purpose: Valvular strands [Lambl’s excrescences], have been associated with increased embolic risk. In previous studies valvular strands have been detected by trans-esophageal echo. With development of high resolution modern echocardiographic systems The current high resolution echocardiographic systems allow detection of valvular strands [Lambl’s excrescences] often even by transthoracic echocardiography. We tried to assess incidence of valvular strands [Lambl’s excrescences] during routine trans-thoracic and /or trans-esopageal echocardiography and define their relation to the cardio-vascular risk factor, co-morbidities and outcome.
Methods: Over 21000 echocardiographic examinations were performed at our hospital during 2008-2012 and were searched for reporting of valvular strands [Lambl’s excrescences]. 150 such studies were identified and the presence of valvular strands [Lambl’s excrescences] was confirmed. Clinical characteristics of these patients, co-morbidities and outcome were analyzed and compared with the same parameters of 150 age and gender matched individuals without valvular strands.
Results: Incidence of valvular strands was maximal at age 61-70 [0.94%], occurred more common in men than in women, 92 versus 58, p
Conclusions: Valvular strands [Lambl’s excrescences] appear not to affect life expectancy, but are associated with embolic/cerebro-vascular risk, are more common in older patients, in men than in women, and are more commonly located on the aortic than on mitral valve.
