Cardioembolism accounts for approximately 20% of ischaemic strokes, and is 
associated with high mortality and propensity to recurrences. Approximately, 30% 
of ischaemic strokes remain cryptogenic despite improved imaging modalities and 
technological improvements to identify their cause. Of the long list of various 
cardiac conditions associated with an increased risk of cardioembolic strokes, 
non-valvular atrial fibrillation is the most common cause. Unsurprisingly, the 
stroke risk associated with these conditions is highly variable and 
non-homogenous, with many risk factors additive to the overall risk profile. 
Treatment with vitamin K-antagonists substantially reduces the long-term 
complications associated with cardioembolism in some high-risk patients, for 
example, in atrial fibrillation. Careful selection of antithrombotic drug regime 
needs to be carried out in patients individually to minimise the risk of 
bleeding encountered with such therapy. Apart from atrial fibrillation, there is 
relatively limited evidence for the role of antithrombotic therapy for other 
cardiac conditions associated with cardioembolism and how long one should treat.