Ischemic Stroke as the Initial Presentation of Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Case of Marantic Endocarditis

Micah Harris1

  • 1Internal Medicine, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, USA.

Cureus
|March 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) can cause embolic strokes. This rare condition, linked to cancer, may be the first sign of advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, especially with negative blood cultures and cardiac valve abnormalities.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE), or marantic endocarditis, is a rare condition.
  • It involves sterile vegetations on heart valves, often linked to hypercoagulable states like adenocarcinoma.

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