Myocardial ischemia during stroke: scintigraphic demonstration

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Nuclear Medicine

Background:

• Cerebral reversible ischemic attacks (RIAs) are transient neurological deficits caused by temporary disruptions in brain blood flow.
• The relationship between acute stroke events and cardiac function, specifically myocardial ischemia, requires further investigation.

Observation:

• A 74-year-old female patient admitted to the Acute Stroke Unit experienced a cerebral reversible ischemic attack.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded during an acute relapse of the patient's condition.

Findings:

• Myocardial scintigraphy using 99mTc (MIBI) revealed transient hypoperfusion in the anteroseptal and inferior regions of the heart.
• These findings represent the first direct evidence of myocardial ischemia occurring concurrently with a stroke event.

Implications:

• The study highlights a potential link between acute cerebrovascular events and cardiac ischemia.
• This underscores the importance of cardiac monitoring in patients experiencing stroke.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and clinical significance of stroke-induced myocardial ischemia.