Association of Cerebrovascular Accidents by Atrial Septal Defects in Patients Referred to Tabriz Children Hospital: a cross-sectional study

Background: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are often linked to hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, heart disease, and other various conditions. The rising prevalence of CVAs emphasizes the importance of raising awareness within the medical community. This study aims to explore the relationship between CVAs and atrial septal defects in pediatric patients referred to Tabriz Children's Hospital. Results: This study included 50 patients with an average age of 7.62±5.64 years-old. All CVAs observed in the study were ischemic. Among the participants, 58% were male. Cardiovascular diseases were identified as the most common cause of CVAs, accounting for 54% of cases. The most common clinical symptoms included muscle weakness (88%), gait disturbances (32%), loss of consciousness (30%), and speech disorders (25%). Conclusions: The present study found that cardiovascular diseases can be one of the primary causes of CVAs in children. Thus, it is essential to develop and carry out screening initiatives to facilitate immediate diagnosis and early intervention to prevent these incidents in younger patients. Moreover, future longitudinal studies with larger participant groups are suggested to advance this area of research.