Successful mechanical thrombectomy in stroke with thrombolysis-associated intracerebral hemorrhage-a case report

Intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy are the standard of care for patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. Intracerebral hemorrhage is a main complication of intravenous thrombolysis, however, no data are available on the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in patients with thrombolysis-associated intracerebral hemorrhage. This constellation is expected to become more frequent as increasing numbers of patients are treated under the drip-and-ship paradigm.

A 75-year-old male patient was admitted to an emergency department with acute onset dysarthria and left side hemiparesis due to right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Intravenous thrombolysis was initiated and the patient transferred to our center for mechanical thrombectomy. Upon arrival, cerebral imaging showed persistent right middle cerebral artery occlusion and new onset left frontal, temporal, and parietal intracerebral hemorrhage. Thrombectomy was performed and perfusion completely re-established with excellent neurological outcome. Follow-up imaging revealed probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Mechanical thrombectomy may be safe and effective in ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion and thrombolysis-associatied intracerebral hemorrhage.