Intra-Arterial Mechanical Thrombectomy: An Effective Treatment for Ischemic Stroke Caused by Endocarditis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiology
• Interventional Neurology

Background:

• Infective endocarditis (IE) poses significant risks for patients experiencing stroke, leading to high in-hospital morbidity and mortality.
• Functional independence is achieved by only one-third of stroke patients with IE.
• Thrombolytic therapy is generally considered a contraindication in cases of IE due to potential complications.

Observation:

• Three consecutive patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion secondary to IE were treated.
• All patients underwent successful intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy using the Solitaire device.

Findings:

• Mechanical thrombectomy proved to be an effective acute treatment for ischemic stroke in patients with IE.
• This approach resulted in successful reperfusion and favorable outcomes in the observed cases.

Implications:

• Mechanical thrombectomy may represent a superior and safer alternative to intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in IE patients.
• Further research into mechanical thrombectomy for IE-related stroke is warranted to confirm these findings.
• This treatment strategy could improve functional independence and reduce mortality in this vulnerable patient population.