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Abstract Infective endocarditis is a severe disease with a high mortality and morbidity, and its clinical heterogeneity is a challenging barrier to rapid diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis of infective endocarditis is based on clinical, microbiological, and echocardiographic findings; however, a high index of suspicion is mandatory because this disease may present either as an acute, rapidly progressive infection or as a chronic disease. Approximately 20-50% of cases show multiple embolic events as the first presentation of infective endocarditis. We report a patient with a rare case of infective endocarditis complicated with iliac saddle and cerebral embolisms who underwent simultaneous operations for mitral valve endocarditis and iliac embolism.
Resumen La endocarditis infecciosa es una enfermedad grave, que conlleva alta morbimortalidad; su heterogeneidad clínica constituye una barrera desafiante para un rápido diagnóstico y tratamiento. El diagnóstico se basa en hallazgos clínicos, microbiológicos y ecocardiográficos; sin embargo, se requiere un alto índice de sospecha ya que esta enfermedad puede debutar ya sea como una infección aguda de rápida evolución o como una enfermedad crónica. Aproximadamente, 20 a 50% de los casos presentan múltiples eventos embólicos como primera manifestación de la endocarditis infecciosa. Se informa de un paciente con un caso inusual de endocarditis infecciosa complicada por embolia ilíaca en silla de montar y embolia cerebral, quien fue sometido a cirugías simultáneas por endocarditis de la válvula mitral y embolia ilíaca.
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Objective:To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of serum N-terminal B-type brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and D-dimer for cardiogenic cerebral embolism (CE) based on population in southern Sichuan.Methods:We selected the clinical data of 313 patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) for the first time, 34 patients with simple atrial fibrillation (AF) and 30 healthy people who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from June 2019 to April 2021. The patients with ACI were divided into four subgroups according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) typing: large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), CE, small artery occlusion (SAO), and indeterminate subtype (UT). The differences in clinical data in the groups were compared. At the same time, the differences of NT-proBNP and D-dimer in serum in CE group, AF group and healthy group were compared; The risk factors of CE were analyzed by binary logistic regression, and the diagnostic efficacy of serum NT-proBNP and D-dimer for CE was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at admission, prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission, NT-proBNP and AF rate were significantly different among ACI subgroups (all P<0.05); There was no significant difference in PT and NIHSS score at admission between LAA group and CE group (all P>0.05). The prevalence of D-dimer, NT-proBNP and AF rate in CE group was significantly higher than those in other three groups (all P<0.05). The D-dimer, NT-proBNP, FDP and SBP level in CE group were significantly higher than those in AF group and healthy group (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that D-dimer and NT-proBNP were independent risk factors for CE (both P<0.05). When the optimal cut-off value of serum D-dimer was 1.015 mg/L, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.896 (95% CI: 0.856-0.935, P<0.01); the sensitivity and specificity were 0.878 and 0.833, respectively; the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were 0.705 and 0.953, respectively. When the best cut-off value of serum NT-proBNP was 657.145 ng/L, the AUC was 0.987 (95% CI: 0.977-0.998, P<0.01); the sensitivity and specificity were 0.959 and 0.963, respectively; the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were 0.922 and 0.981, respectively. The accuracy of the combined detection of serum D-dimer and NT-proBNP in the diagnosis of CE was higher, and the AUC was 0.988 (95% CI: 0.978-0.998, P<0.01), sensitivity of 0.960, specificity of 0.977, positive predictive value of 0.950, negative predictive value of 0.982. Conclusions:The serum levels of NT-proBNP and D-dimer in CE patients increased significantly; NT-proBNP and D-dimer are important predictors of CE and have higher diagnostic efficacy for CE. The combination of them has a higher specificity for diagnosis.
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Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intra-arterial tirofiban infusion during endovascular reperfusion therapy in patients with acute cardiogenic cerebral embolism.Methods:Clinical data of 72 patients with acute cardiogenic cerebral embolism caused by large artery occlusion were retrospectively analyzed in Department of Neurology, Strategic Support Force Medical Center from August 2015 to August 2020.Among those, 52 patients were treated with intra-arterial tirofiban, the other 20 patients were treated with control medication. The baseline characteristics, modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score of responsible vessels, modified Rankin scale (mRS) score 90 days after operation, incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality were evaluated and compared in two groups.Results:The proportion of effective recanalization of the offending vessels (mTICI≥2b) in tirofiban group was higher than that in control group (92.3% vs. 75.0%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.104). At 90 days after operation, the rate of patients with good prognosis (mRS≤2) in tirofiban group (61.5%) was significantly higher than that in control group (35.0%) ( P<0.05). The incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality were comparable between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Intra-arterial tirofiban infusion in patients with acute cardiogenic cerebral embolism is effective and feasible, which improves the prognosis without increasing the risk of intracranial bleeding complications.
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El síndrome de May-Thurner es una anormalidad anatómica que consiste en la comprensión cronica de la vena iliaca común izquierda, entre la arteria ilíaca común derecha y la columna vertebral, que puede predisponer a la trombosis venosa profunda. Es una entidad rara, y es infrecuente que provoque una embolia paradojal cerebral. Se presenta el caso de una isquemia cerebral de origen embólico, en un varón de 30 años, luego de actividad sexual. Los estudios realizados revelaron síndrome de May-Thurner asociado con un foramen oval permeable y una trombofilia por factor V de Leiden. Fue tratado con anticoagulantes orales y no ha presentado recurrencias.
May-Thurner syndrome is an anatomic abnormality that predisposes patients to increase risk of paradoxical embolism and stroke. It consists of chronic compression of the left common iliac vein by the overlying right common iliac artery and lumbar spine. This may lead to deep venous thrombosis and paradoxical embolism that could provoke cerebral ischemia in patients with a cardiac shunt from right-to-left. Embolic cerebral ischemic event is reported in a 30-year-old man after sexual intercourse. Further studies revea led suggestive findings of May-Thurner syndrome coupled with a patent foramen ovale and a factor V Leiden thrombophilia. He was placed on anticoagulation therapy and has not had any recurrent events.
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Humans , Male , Adult , Intracranial Embolism/etiology , May-Thurner Syndrome/complications , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Intracranial Embolism/pathology , Intracranial Embolism/diagnostic imaging , May-Thurner Syndrome/pathology , May-Thurner Syndrome/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the risk factors of intracranial hemorrhagic (ICH) transformation within 14-days in acute cerebral infarction with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. Methods CT and/or MRI scans of the head were conducted within 14 days on patients with NVAF acute cerebral infarction who admitted to the Department of Neurology, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital between January 2015 to March 2018. The baseline scan data were reviewed to determine whether ICH conversion occurred. Comparable risk assessment were based on stratification scores using HAS-BLED, ASPECTS, and pc-ASPECTS. Results There were 150 cases of acute cerebral infarction with NVAF, 126 patients were eligible for the analysis, with an ICH conversion rate of 27.0% (34/126). The following four risk factors were statistically significant among the ICH and non-ICH transformation groups: ①systolic blood pressure (SBP) >160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >100 mmHg post-cerebral infarction, ②Severe cerebral infarction, progressing stroke, ③ASPECTS (pc-ASPECTS) score ≤7 points, and ④ HAS-BLED score ≥3 points (P<0.05). Conclusion Approximately 1/3 of NVAF acute cerebral infarction patients experience an ICH transformation within 14 days of their episode. The following indicators are independent risk factors of ICH transformation: SBP >160mmHg or DBP >100mmHg after cerebral infarction, severe cerebral infarction, progressing stroke, ASPECTS (pc-ASPECTS)≤7 points, and HAS-BLED score≥3 points.
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Objective : The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage (LAA) amputation during cardiovascular surgery. Methods : Fifty-seven patients underwent LAA amputation using a stapler from 2016 to 2017. The presence of remnant LAA was estimated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Results : All LAA amputations were performed with the heart beating, without collapse. Additional amputation for remnant LAA was required in 14 patients. Sutures were needed to control bleeding in 7 patients. There was one case in which the coronary artery ended up being clamped with the LAA. The average duration for LAA amputation was 6.1±3.2 (1.5-15.2) min. There were 25 cases with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), one case of cerebral infarction without POAF and one case of re-exploration for bleeding. Three patients died during hospitalization. Conclusion : LAA amputation using a stapler does not require cardiac arrest, and rarely requires an extended operation time. However, sufficient caution is required as there is the possibility that the coronary artery is obstructed and that remnant LAA is present.
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Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of Solitaire stents and the multi-mode vascular recanalization in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Methods Twenty-two patients with acute cerebral infarction, who were treated by Solitaire stents and the multi-mode vascular recanalization (research group) in our hospital from November 2014 to February 2017, were included in this study. Among them, 16 cases were combined with balloon dilation after arterial thrombosis, 4 cases were given stent implantation (3 cases were given Solitair stent and 1 case was given Apollo stent), and 2 cases were given arterial catheter directed thrombolysis. Eighteen patients with acute cerebral infarction who were treated only by Solitaire stent artery occlusion from October 2011 to October 2014 were used as control group. Data of the onset to the vagina vasorum time, the onset to the recanalization time, the revascularization of interventional therapy, the NIHSS scores at admission and discharge, mRS score after 90-day treatment, incidence rate and the mortality were compared between two groups. Results There were no significant differences in the durations from onset to the vagina vasorum and from the onset to the recanalization between the two groups. The recanalization was better in research group than that of control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in scores of NIHSS at hospital discharge and admission between two groups. The near-term treatment efficacy was similar in two groups. However, mRS score was significantly lower in the research group than that in control group after 90-day treatment (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, high perfusion encephalopathy, the incidence rate and the mortality rate of the complications related to the operation between two groups of patients. Conclusion Solitaire stents and the multi-mode vascular recanalization can significantly improve the revascularization, the further clinical prognosis and the quality of survival in patients with acute cerebral infarction, which are safe and efficacy without increasing incidence rate and mortality rate of complications.
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Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of Solitaire stents and the multi-mode vascular recanalization in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Methods Twenty-two patients with acute cerebral infarction, who were treated by Solitaire stents and the multi-mode vascular recanalization (research group) in our hospital from November 2014 to February 2017, were included in this study. Among them, 16 cases were combined with balloon dilation after arterial thrombosis, 4 cases were given stent implantation (3 cases were given Solitair stent and 1 case was given Apollo stent), and 2 cases were given arterial catheter directed thrombolysis. Eighteen patients with acute cerebral infarction who were treated only by Solitaire stent artery occlusion from October 2011 to October 2014 were used as control group. Data of the onset to the vagina vasorum time, the onset to the recanalization time, the revascularization of interventional therapy, the NIHSS scores at admission and discharge, mRS score after 90-day treatment, incidence rate and the mortality were compared between two groups. Results There were no significant differences in the durations from onset to the vagina vasorum and from the onset to the recanalization between the two groups. The recanalization was better in research group than that of control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in scores of NIHSS at hospital discharge and admission between two groups. The near-term treatment efficacy was similar in two groups. However, mRS score was significantly lower in the research group than that in control group after 90-day treatment (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, high perfusion encephalopathy, the incidence rate and the mortality rate of the complications related to the operation between two groups of patients. Conclusion Solitaire stents and the multi-mode vascular recanalization can significantly improve the revascularization, the further clinical prognosis and the quality of survival in patients with acute cerebral infarction, which are safe and efficacy without increasing incidence rate and mortality rate of complications.
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Objective To explore the correlations of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) types and the degree of neurologic impairment in acute ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods DWI images and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) of 186 patients with acute ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation were collected retrospectively.The correlation of DWI features and NIHSS was analyzed.Results On DWI,all acute ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation presented high signal intensity.Single cortex-subcortical infarction mostly appeared in the anterior circulation(94,50.5%);Multi-infarction commonly occurred in the posterior circulation(18,13.0%);The neurological deficit scores of subcortical-cortex infarction in the left anterior circulation(16.75±7.10) were higher than that in the right side(13.50±5.70)(P<0.05).The neurological deficit scores of cortex-subcortical infarction in the posterior circulation (6.38±2.03) were significantly lower than that in the multi-infarction (16.77±8.90) (P<0.05).Conclusion DWI types are valuable for etiological diagnosis in ischemic stroke.Combination with NIHSS score could provide a basis for clinical individual treatment programs selection and prognostic evaluation.
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Objective To investigate the related factors of the prognosis of arterial embolectomy of acute cardiogenic cerebral embolism caused by atrial fibrillation.Methods The clinical data of using vein thrombolysis bridging artery embolectomy or arterial embolectomy alone for the treatment of patients with acute cardiogenic cerebral embolism of cerebral large artery occlusion due to atrial fibrillation were analyzed retrospectively.From January 2015 to December 2016,22 consecutive inpatients with cardioembolic cerebral embolism caused by paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation were enrolled,including 10 patients with the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-2 (good recovery group) and 12 patients with mRS scores 3-6 (poor recovery group).The clinical features,imaging data,and treatment of the patients in both groups were compared.The factors such as age,gender,preoperative international standardization ratio (INR),embolism position,whether bridging vein thrombolysis before thrombectomy,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at the onset,time of onset to reperfusion (TOR),whether using tirofiban,times of thrombectomy,modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) blood flow grade,and postoperative intracranial symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in age,gender,preoperative INR,embolism position,the number of intravenous thrombolysis before thrombectomy,the number of using tirofiban in surgery,the proportion of the above mTICI 2b grade,and the proportion of symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage after surgery of the patients between the two groups (P>0.05).The NIHSS score 15.2±2.0 at the onset in the good recovery group was lower than 22.9±8.4 in the poor recovery group.There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).The TOR time (307±86 min) in the good recovery group was less than that of the poor recovery group (426±145 min).There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Embolectomy was performed 1.5 (0.5,3.0) times in the good recovery group,which was less than the poor recovery group (4.0 [2.0,7.0] times).There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusions Shortening the time of reperfusion and reducing the number of embolectomy during operation are the important factors for improving the prognosis of patients when atrial fibrillation causes arterial embolectomy in patients with acute cerebral embolism.However,a study of larger sample is needed for further exploration.
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We present a case report of a infective endocarditis by Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum in a young patient eight years old with bicuspid aortic valve that led to a severe neurological embolism and death. Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum is part of the nasopharyngeal and skin flora. However, there are cases reported of endocarditis usually associated with immunocompromised patients that mostly presented a poor clinical outcome.
Se presenta el caso clínico de una endocarditis infecciosa por Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum en un niño de 8 años, portador de una valvulopatía aórtica bicúspide, que falleció por una embolia cerebral grave. Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum forma parte de la microbiota de la piel y nasofaringe. Sin embargo, se han descrito casos de endocarditis en pacientes inmunocomprometidos, asociados, en su mayoría, a una mala evolución clínica.
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Humans , Male , Child , Corynebacterium/isolation & purification , Corynebacterium Infections/microbiology , Endocarditis, Bacterial/microbiology , Aortic Valve/abnormalities , Aortic Valve/microbiology , Ultrasonography , Fatal Outcome , Corynebacterium Infections/diagnostic imaging , Endocarditis, Bacterial/diagnostic imaging , Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease , Heart Valve Diseases/complications , Heart Valve Diseases/microbiologyABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the clinical risk factors of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of cardiogenic cerebral embolism and the influence of HT on outcome. Methods The clinical data of 115 inpatients were reviewed from May, 2012 to December, 2015. They were di-vided into HT group (n=58) and non-HT group (n=57). The age, anticoagulant therapy, thrombolytic therapy, infarction diameter, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and HAS-BLED score were compared. The risk factors for HT was screened with the multivariate Logistic regression. NIHSS score and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score as hos-pitalization, and one month and three months after stroke were compared. Results There were significant difference in NIHSS score (t=-2.991, P=0.003) and HAS-BLED score (t=-2.499, P=0.014), as well as infarction diameter (χ2=8.355, P=0.004) between HT group and non-HT group. NIHSS score (OR=1.127, P=0.027), HAS-BLED score (OR=1.783, P=0.03) and infarction diameter (OR=4.390, P=0.035) were the risk factors for HT. The incidence of HT was less in low-risk group (HAS-BLED score=0-2) than in high-risk group (HAS-BLED score≥3) (χ2=4.643, P=0.031). The NIHSS score as hospitalization, and one month and three months after stroke were all more in HT group than in non-HT group (t>2.387, P0.05). Conclusion HT tends to happen in the patients of cerebral embolism patients after atrial fibril-lation with severe neural function defect, large infarction diameter and high HAS-BLED score. The neural function is poor in those with HT.
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Objective To investigate the safety of left atrial appendage occlusion by silk thread ligation during open heart op‐eration in patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation ,and to evaluate its effectiveness for prevention of cerebral embolism .Methods From April 2012 to March 2014 ,129 patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation were undergone mitral valve replacement and left at‐rial appendage occlusion by ligation using two silk threads from the outside of the heart (ligation group) .The indexes related to the operation ,postoperative complications incidence ,and cerebral embolism incidence during the follow‐up period of ligation group were compared with the indexes of another 129 patients without ligation of left atrial appendage over the same period (control group) . Results The operation time ,the cardiopulmonary bypass time ,the clamp time ,the intensive care unit stay time ,the postoperative hospitalization time in ligation group were (235 ± 50)min ,(88 ± 24)min ,(57 ± 16)min ,(26 .5 ± 9 .3)h and (12 .4 ± 7 .5)d respective‐ly ,and significant difference was not found compared with control group (P>0 .05) .The thoracotomy for hemostasis(1 cases) ,low cardiac output syndrome(2 cases) ,acute renal failure(2 cases) ,pulmonary infection(3 cases) ,sternal wound dehiscence(2 cases) and other complications in ligation group had no significant difference ,compared with control group(P>0 .05);2 cases died in liga‐tion group ,3 patients died in control group ,the differences had no statistical significance(P>0 .05) .No cerebral embolism occurred in ligation group with 127 patients following‐up (23 .6 ± 11 .3) months ,but 5 patients suffered from cerebral embolism in control group with 126 patients following‐up (22 .9 ± 12 .1) months ,the difference had statistical significance(P<0 .05) .Conclusion Left atrial appendage occlusion by silk thread ligation during open heart operation in patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation is simple and safe ,can reduce cerebral embolism incidence .
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Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of intravenous (IV) thrombolysis, intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis and mechanical adjuvant intra- arterial thrombolysis (IA + MA) in treating cardiogenic cerebral embolism. Methods A total of 66 patients with cardiogenic cerebral embolism were randomly divided into IV group (n = 25), IA group (n = 18), IA + MA group (n = 23). The artery recanalization rate, NIHSS score, GCS score, BI excellent rate, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate and mortality after different thrombolytic therapies were determined. The results were compared between each other among the three groups. Results In all three groups both the post-treatment NIHSS score and GCS score were significantly improved when compared with pre-treatment ones (P < 0.05). In IA + MA group the artery recanalization rate was 78.3%(18/23) and the BI excellent rate was 40%(10/25), which were significantly higher than those in IV group (P < 0.05). The symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate in IA group was 5.6%(1/18), which was strikingly lower than that in IV group (32%, 8/25). Analysis of the causes showed that the artery recanalization rate in patients with valvular heart disease or cardiac myxoma was rather lower, but the intracranial hemorrhage rate and mortality in these patients were much higher. Conclusion Thrombolytic therapy can improve neurological deficit in cardiogenic cerebral embolism, and the therapeutic effect of mechanical adjuvant intra- arterial thrombolysis is definitely better.
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@#Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of cerebral embolism from brachiocephalic artery thrombosis. Methods A case was reviewed with literature. Results Acute multiple cerebral infarctions were found in both right anterior and posterior circulation. Arterial floating thrombi with cyclic motion relating to cardiac cycles was found with transthoracic Doppler ultrasonography.Anticoagulation therapy played the major role in treatment. Conclusion Transthoracic Doppler ultrasonography is recommended in the suspicion of patients with typical clinical presentations in order to investigate the vascular conditions in the brachiocephllic trunk, and anticoagulation therapy should be initiated immediately after the thrombi have been detected.
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Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of cerebral embolism from brachiocephalic artery thrombosis. Methods A case was reviewed with literature. Results Acute multiple cerebral infarctions were found in both right anterior and posterior circulation. Arterial floating thrombi with cyclic motion relating to cardiac cycles was found with transthoracic Doppler ultrasonog-raphy. Anticoagulation therapy played the major role in treatment. Conclusion Transthoracic Doppler ultrasonography is recommended in the suspicion of patients with typical clinical presentations in order to investigate the vascular conditions in the brachiocephllic trunk, and an-ticoagulation therapy should be initiated immediately after the thrombi have been detected.
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The patient was a 63-year-old man, who had developed cerebral infarction during treatment for sleep apnea syndrome. He also presented typical features of deep venous thrombosis of the right lower extremity. Transesophageal echocardiography clearly showed the blood flow passing through the patent foramen ovale (PFO) followed by Valsalva maneuver. Paradoxical cerebral embolism caused by a PFO was diagnosed. Several procedures were considered to prevent recurrence of cerebral infarction, he underwent PFO closure by minimally invasive procedure, so-called port-access cardiac surgery. He started walking on the day of surgery, and postoperative echocardiography showed no residual shunt flow. Currently, no catheter-based PFO closure device is allowed in Japan, the PFO closure by the port-access technique should be considered as a feasible alternative.
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Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral embolism from pulmonary embolism (PE).Methods The clinical data of 5 cases with PE accompanied by cerebral embolism covering a period from October of 2007 to July of 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.Results In this study,the average age of 5 cases (all female) was 46.5 years old.PE was diagnosed through enhanced CT and ECT in lung among all 5 cases.Moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension was confirmed by echocardiogram.Two cases was patent foramen ovale and one was congenital atrial septal defect.Each patient was diagnosed to be new-onset cerebral infarction by MRI.Three cases underwent cerebral arterial thrombolysis.All of them survived and long-term anticoagulant treatment with Warfarin.INR was adjusted between 2.0 and 2.5 by change of Warfarin dose.Among them,one patient had cerebral embolism again just 3 days after the latest cerebral embolism; the other 4 patients did not suffer from cerebral embolism during the follow-up.Conclusions Paradoxical cerebral embolism is common.For clinical patients with PE,especially pulmonary hypertension accompanied by systemic circulation arterial embolism or unexplained systemic cerebral arterial embolism,paradoxical cerebral embolism should be considered.
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Objective To discuss the significance of ventricular rate for patients with persistent a trial fibrillatio. Methods Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation more than 1 year were divided into cerebral embolism group (34 patients)and non- cerebral embolism group(32 patients). The data of patients in two groups were collected and compared ,including general clinical characteristics ,the highest ,lowest and average ventricular rate detected by Holter monitor system,left atria diameter and left ventricular ejecting fraction measured by echocardiography. Results There was no significant difference between two groups about general clinical characteristics, left atria diameter(P ＞ 0. 05).The highest, lowest and average ventricular rate were higher in cerebral embolism group than those in non-cerebral embolism group(P ＜ 0. 05). However, left ventricular ejecting fraction was much lower in cerebral embolism group( P ＜0. 05 ). Conclusion It is critical to control heart rate for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation to prevent cerebral embolism and left ventricular function.
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Air embolism can occur during central venous catheter removal. We encountered a patient diagnosed with cerebral air embolism associated with the removal of an internal jugular venous catheter. The patient was 65 years old and was admitted to the intensive care unit due to pneumonia. He had a catheter placed in the right internal jugular vein. Five days thereafter, the catheter was removed in semi-Fowler's position using the Valsalva maneuver. Immediately after the catheter removal, the patient became pale, felt dyspneic, lost consciousness and exhibited seizure activity. A neurological examination, revealed left upper arm (grade I) and lower leg paralysis (grade II) as well as left facial palsy. A brain computed tomogram showed that, air was trapped in the cavernous sinus. In diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging, signal changes were reported in the right frontal cortex, indicating acute cerebral infarction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ventilatory support with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation mode was applied. Twenty days thereafter, consciousness and motor functions were recovered completely except for mild weakness of the upper arm (grade IV).