In daily practice, ischemia of embolic origin is frequent. The clinical spectrum can range from minor ischemia to stroke or myocardial infarction. This article summarizes the common etiologies of a cardioembolic event, such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, presence of a patent foramen ovale or intracardiac masses (endocarditis, thrombi or tumors). This paper aims to serve as a short repository of information to guide every physician might need to initiate the diagnostic investigations and therapy according to recent recommendations.