Results: Aortic plaques were detected in 57% of patients, CAP being present in 11.2%. Multivariate analysis identified age above 60 years old (OR 6.23, p<0.001) and smoking habit (OR 4.89, p<0.001) as independent predictors of CAP. Conclusion: These findings suggest that TEE should be more strongly considered in the study of patients with CVA who are above 60 years old or smoke.