A Cerebrovascular Incident Secondary to Extensive Aortic Arch Atheroma

Faisal A Alghamdi1, Saud A AlShehri1, Nisreen H Maghraby2

  • 1College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.

Cureus
|October 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Aortic arch atheroma can lead to severe cerebrovascular events. This case highlights the risks and challenges in managing extensive aortic arch plaque, even with interventions like thrombectomy and antiplatelet therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta, particularly the aortic arch, are linked to cerebrovascular insults.
  • Current management lacks a defined protocol, often relying on antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies.

Observation:

  • A 78-year-old male with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia presented with acute slurred speech.
  • CT angiography revealed extensive aortic arch atheroma with severe stenosis in the left common carotid artery and internal carotid artery.

Findings:

  • The patient underwent aspiration thrombectomy and received dual antiplatelet treatment.
  • Despite intervention, the patient experienced decompensated heart failure and subsequently passed away.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the critical association between aortic arch atheroma and cerebrovascular events.
  • It highlights the complex and often challenging clinical course associated with managing severe aortic arch disease and its complications.

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