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Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Stroke due to a cardiac myxoma
Rustam Al-Shahi Salman1, David Northridge, Alastair N J Graham
1University of Edinburgh, Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, United Kingdom.
BMJ Case Reports
|June 21, 2011
Summary
Cardioembolic stroke, often seen in young individuals, can stem from heart tumors like atrial myxoma. This case highlights an unusual presentation without typical systemic symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cardioembolic stroke is a significant cause of stroke, particularly in younger populations.
- Cardioembolism typically results in infarcts across multiple vascular territories.
- Atrial myxoma is a cardiac tumor that can lead to embolic events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report an atypical case of cardioembolic stroke in a young woman.
- To investigate the link between atrial myxoma and stroke in the absence of systemic manifestations.
Main Methods:
- Case report detailing the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and management.
- Review of relevant literature on cardioembolic stroke and atrial myxoma.
Main Results:
- A young woman presented with cardioembolic stroke.
- The stroke was found to be secondary to an atrial myxoma.
- The patient exhibited no systemic signs commonly associated with myxoma.
Conclusions:
- Atrial myxoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of stroke in young adults, even with atypical presentations.
- This case underscores the importance of thorough cardiac evaluation in cryptogenic stroke.
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