Recurrent stroke shortly after mechanical thrombectomy secondary to carotid web: A case report.

RATIONALE: Carotid web, a known source of thrombus for embolic stroke, presents a considerable risk of stroke recurrence. While case reports have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy in treating carotid web-related stroke, the need for concurrent carotid artery stenting to prevent recurrent stroke immediately after thrombectomy remains unclear. This study aims to underscore the importance of immediate carotid artery stenting in preventing recurrent stroke following mechanical thrombectomy in patients with carotid web-related stroke. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 43-year-old woman with acute onset of left limb weakness and slurred speech within 3 hours was admitted to the emergency department. DIAGNOSES: Computed tomographic angiography confirmed the M1 segment occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. INTERVENTIONS: The patient received intravenous thrombolysis in the local hospital and mechanical thrombectomy in our stroke center. OUTCOMES: Three days post-mechanical thrombectomy, there was a sudden exacerbation of her neurological deficit symptoms. A reexamination via computed tomographic angiography revealed a re-occlusion in M1 segment of the right middle cerebral artery, despite the implementation of stringent anticoagulation therapy for carotid web-related stroke. LESSONS: Stroke patients with carotid web had a high risk of stroke recurrence and it was necessary to conduct carotid artery stenting to prevent stroke recurrence secondary to the carotid web immediately after mechanical thrombectomy.

Serum C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and D-dimer in patients with progressive cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVE: Progressive cerebral infarctions increase mortality and functional disability through mechanisms which have yet to be completely understood. The goal of this study was to explore the dynamic changes of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer (D-D) in order to better characterize progressive cerebral infarction. METHODS: The amount of serum CRP, FIB and D-D was measured in 82 patients with progressive cerebral infarction by taking samples from the internal carotid artery (progressive group), and in 186 patients with non-progressive cerebral infarction (non-progressive group) by using an automatic biochemical analyzer during the next day (day 1), day 3, day 7, and day 14 after being admitted to hospital. Carotid vascular ultrasound and neurological deficit score (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS) were also recorded. RESULTS: Carotid stenosis ratio was significantly higher in the progressive group than in the non-progressive group (P < 0.01) on admission. In the progressive group, CRP increased significantly on day 3, followed by a decline on day 7 and day 14, but was significantly higher than those in the non-progressive group (P < 0.01). The levels of FIB and D-D increased in the progressive group more than those in the non-progressive group on day 3, day 7, and day 14 (P < 0.01). The progressive group patients' NIHSS score gradually increased after admission, which was opposite to the non-progressive group patients whom followed a downward trend. The difference between these two groups was significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Observing changes of CRP, FIB and D-D may contribute to early identification and timely treatment of progressing ischemic strokes.