ESUS
Medical abbreviation · Neurology
| Stands for | Embolic stroke of undetermined source |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
ESUS stands for Embolic stroke of undetermined source, a neurology abbreviation.
Category for nonlacunar ischemic strokes that look embolic on imaging but have no identified source after standard testing, including heart monitoring, echocardiography and imaging of the neck and brain arteries. It accounts for roughly one in six ischemic strokes.
Example: ESUS in a 58-year-old; 30-day monitor negative, loop recorder placed to look for occult atrial fibrillation.
Usage notes
The concept was proposed in 2014 to define a population for anticoagulation trials. However, NAVIGATE ESUS (2018) and RE-SPECT ESUS (2019) found that rivaroxaban and dabigatran were no better than aspirin, so antiplatelet therapy remains standard unless atrial fibrillation is found. Prolonged rhythm monitoring often uncovers hidden AF. ESUS is a subset of cryptogenic stroke.
Related abbreviations
More neurology abbreviations
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- EDSS – Expanded Disability Status Scale
- EEG – Electroencephalogram
- EMG – Electromyography
- EMU – Epilepsy monitoring unit
- EP – Evoked potentials
- ET – Essential tremor
- ETV – Endoscopic third ventriculostomy
- EVD – External ventricular drain
- EVT – Endovascular thrombectomy
- FAST – Face, Arm, Speech, Time
- FTD – Frontotemporal dementia
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.