Concomitant Presentation With Cardioembolic Ischemic Stroke and Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Patient With New Onset Atrial Fibrillation

Authors

Amogh M. Joshi DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Emilee E. Kurtz DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Kourtney Erickson DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Margaret R. Kluck DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Benjamin Sanchez MD, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow

Publication/Presentation Date

11-18-2019

Abstract

Introduction: Although Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common cause of ischemic stroke, it rarely causes acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Cardioembolic events from AF cause considerable morbidity and mortality. Concomitant ischemic stroke and ACS remains an exceedingly rare event. We describe the case of a patient presenting with cardioembolic ischemic stroke and acute coronary syndrome.

Case Presentation: An 83 year old male with a prior history of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, permanent pacemaker for complete heart block, and chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis presented with acute left sided facial and extremity weakness, gait ataxia and profound dysarthria. Physical examination and stroke work up demonstrated right M1 territory ischemic stroke ^(A). EKG demonstrated AF with ventricular pacing ^(B). The patient subsequently underwent emergent right middle cerebral artery thrombectomy. Device interrogation confirmed new onset AF for ten days. Hemodynamic instability and up trending troponin post-procedurally prompted an echocardiogram which demonstrated new LAD wall motion abnormality with an ejection fraction of 15%. The patient underwent cardiac catheterization with coronary thrombectomy for a 100% mid-LAD occlusion with good angiographic result ^{(C, D)}. He was initiated on intravenous anticoagulation in the setting of AF. Unfortunately, given his significant comorbidities and need for multiple pressors, the patient succumbed to his profound cardiogenic shock.

Discussion: This case highlights that clinicians should maintain a high degree of suspicion for coronary embolic phenomena in patients presenting with clinical or biochemical signs of acute MI in the setting of AF and its sequela. Though the most common cause of MI is atherosclerotic plaque rupture, coronary embolism is the underlying etiology in 3% of cases. Expeditious identification of at risk patients is critical to appropriate and timely intervention.

Comments

Published in: Circulation 140( No. Supl_1) Abstract 15568

Copyright © Lehigh Valley Health Network

Published In/Presented At

Joshi, A. Kurtz, E. Erickson, K. Kluck, M. Sanchez, B. (2019, November 18). Concomitant Presentation With Cardioembolic Ischemic Stroke and Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Patient With New Onset Atrial Fibrillation. Poster Presented at: American Heart Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Disciplines

Cardiology | Internal Medicine

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine Faculty, Department of Medicine Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Poster