Large-vessel disease in a black diabetic: a case report

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Diabetology
• Hematology

Background:

• Maturity-onset diabetes is a common condition with known vascular complications.
• Occlusive large-vessel disease is a recognized complication of diabetes, but its prevalence varies across different populations.
• Understanding population-specific risks for vascular complications in diabetes is crucial for effective management.

Observation:

• A middle-aged Black woman with diabetes presented with a cerebrovascular accident.
• Following the cerebrovascular accident, she developed thrombosis of the descending thoracic aorta.
• The aortic thrombosis extended into the left subclavian artery, causing emboli in the right femoral and left brachial arteries.

Findings:

• This case describes a rare instance of occlusive large-vessel disease in a Black patient with diabetes.
• The patient experienced extensive arterial thrombosis and subsequent embolization.
• The occurrence of such severe vascular disease is uncommon in Black individuals with diabetes.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering rare vascular complications in diabetic patients, particularly those from underrepresented populations.
• Further research into vascular disorders and hemostatic factors in Black versus White diabetics is warranted.
• This case may inform clinical vigilance and tailored screening strategies for vascular disease in Black diabetic patients.