Suspected Transient Ischemic Attack Related to Dysfunctional Quadricuspid Aortic Valve

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Genetics

Background:

• Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) typically present with conventional cerebrovascular risk factors.
• A quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital cardiac defect.
• The association between QAV and TIA is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of TIA in a patient with a newly diagnosed QAV.
• To discuss the potential link between QAV and cerebrovascular events.
• To emphasize the importance of considering atypical etiologies for TIA.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 30-year-old Caribbean-Black woman.
• Clinical presentation suggestive of TIA.
• Diagnostic workup including echocardiography revealing QAV with moderate aortic regurgitation (AR).

Main Results:

• The patient experienced TIA symptoms without traditional risk factors.
• A QAV with moderate AR was identified as the likely underlying cardiac anomaly.
• This finding suggests a potential, albeit elusive, association between QAV and TIA.

Conclusions:

• QAV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of TIA in young patients lacking conventional risk factors.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanism linking QAV to cerebrovascular events.
• This case underscores the significance of comprehensive cardiac evaluation in unexplained neurological events.