Idiopathic pulmonary vein thrombosis treated with apixaban

Idiopathic pulmonary vein thrombosis: an under-recognised source of embolic stroke

Embolic stroke due to pulmonary vein thrombosis is rare but may be associated with lung and left atrial tumours, pulmonary surgery, atrial fibrillation and radiofrequency ablation. It is very rarely idiopathic. A 23-year-old man developed acute onset of a left partial third nerve palsy and left ataxic hemiparesis. His MR scan of the brain showed an acute infarct in the left midbrain and left thalamus. CT angiogram found no steno-occlusive disease and transthoracic echocardiogram was normal. However, a transoesophageal echocardiogram showed a hyperechoic mass projecting from the right inferior pulmonary vein, confirmed on cardiac MR scan to be a right inferior pulmonary vein thrombus. A cardiac loop recorder did not capture an atrial arrhythmia. CT scan of the chest found no significant abnormality in the pulmonary parenchyma. Investigations for hypercoagulable state were negative. He took dabigatran for 6 months with complete resolution of thrombus.

Can Lesions in the Right Basal Ganglia Cause Aphasia? Crossed Aphasia in a Right-Handed Patient

Background

Aphasia is a common neurocognitive disorder caused by impaired speech and language, with stroke being the most frequent cause. The neuroanatomical mechanism underlying this condition is not yet fully understood.

Case description

This case describes a 74-year-old Caucasian woman admitted with a clinical picture of right total anterior circulation infarct (TACI) and aphasia, scoring 17 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Neuroimaging showed a large cortico-subcortical frontotemporoparietal and insular infarct involving the basal ganglia of the right hemisphere and bilateral focal atherosclerotic stenosis on the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery. There was no left hemispheric lesion or abnormal electric activity on the electroencephalogram. A formal evaluation was compatible with transcortical motor aphasia. The aetiological study revealed atrial fibrillation, and the case was admitted as an ischaemic stroke of undetermined aetiology with two possible causes - intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis or atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion

Our patient fulfilled all the formal criteria for crossed aphasia in dextral (CAD): aphasia, a lesion in the right hemisphere coupled with the structural integrity of the left hemisphere, an established preference for right-hand use without a familial history of left-handedness individuals, and an absence of brain damage in childhood. Our patient's case adds to the evidence that deep structures - alone or in combination with cortical structures - are primarily affected in CAD.

LEARNING POINTS

The diagnostic criteria for crossed aphasia in dextral (CAD) are derived from clinical case studies and include aphasia, a lesion in the right hemisphere, a strong preference for using the right hand, the structural integrity of the left hemisphere and no history of brain damage during childhood.The right lentiform nucleus was found to be the most frequent anatomical substrate involved in CAD patients, consistent with our case description.Our patient experienced transcortical motor aphasia due to a stroke in the right hemisphere, adding to the evidence that in CAD patients, deep structures are primarily affected. In contrast, in left hemispheric lesions, cortical structures seem to be the main culprits.

A Unique Case of Unprovoked Pulmonary Venous Thrombosis in a Postpartum Female Following COVID-19 Infection

SARS-CoV-2 can induce a hypercoagulable state, occasionally resulting in pulmonary venous thrombosis (PVT) due to inflammation and endothelial injury. Documented cases of PVT with active COVID-19 and post-COVID are rare. We report a 40-year-old postpartum female with unprovoked PVT following a recent nonhospitalized COVID-19 infection. She presented with cough, right pleuritic chest pain, and worsening dyspnea. Imaging confirmed right lower lobe PVT with ground glass infiltrates. Despite a negative hypercoagulable workup, the patient's postpartum and post-COVID status suggest an unprovoked PVT. Treated with a high-intensity heparin drip and transition to apixaban, she showed resolution of the thrombus. This case underscores the importance of considering COVID-19 as a potential risk factor for venous thromboembolism and highlights the need for vigilant monitoring in post-COVID-19 patients.

Anomalous Bronchial Artery Origin - Canary in the Coal Mine - For Diagnosing Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Anomalous bronchial artery origins may have clinical implications beyond their anatomical curiosity. In this case, identification of such an anomaly led to the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). A 49-year-old male with a history of recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) on anticoagulation presented with chest pain and shortness of breath. Laboratory analysis was remarkable for a troponin peak of 14.74 ng/ml, a brain natriuretic peptide level of 602 pg/ml and a D-dimer level of 0.62 μg/ml. Electrocardiogram showed non-specific ST elevation in the anterolateral and inferior leads. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest was positive for PE involving the right lower lobe pulmonary arterial tree. Echocardiogram showed reduced left ventricular function (ejection fraction 38%) and akinesis of the antero-apical and infero-apical segments. Cardiac catheterization revealed non-obstructive coronary arteries, and an anomalous origin of a right bronchial artery from the right coronary artery. The right bronchial hypertrophied as it supplied collateral flow to the occluded right pulmonary artery. This anomaly and the patient's history of multiple DVT/PEs while on therapeutic levels of warfarin with near normal D-dimer levels raised suspicion for a false positive PE. Pulmonary angiogram revealed chronic occlusion in branches of the right pulmonary artery, mean pulmonary artery pressure of 36 mmHg and no acute thrombus. Ventilation-perfusion scan confirmed the diagnosis of CTEPH. The patient underwent successful pulmonary thromboendarterectomy and subsequently had normalization of mean pulmonary artery pressure. This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach, and consideration of alternative explanations for imaging findings, that unveiled the diagnosis of a complex and life-threatening condition such as CTEPH.

LEARNING POINTS

This case underscores the diagnostic significance of identifying anomalous bronchial artery origin which played a crucial role in the diagnosis of the underlying chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).It is important to understand the limitations of computed tomography angiography (CTA) chest for diagnosis of CTEPH.

Idiopathic Bilateral Pulmonary Vein Thrombosis

A 52-year-old female with a history of chronic lymphoedema and untreated deep vein thrombosis, presented with non-specific right-sided chest pain. A CT angiogram confirmed bilateral inferior pulmonary vein thromboses (PVT). A comprehensive hypercoagulable workup and age-appropriate cancer screening were unremarkable; the lack of associated risk factors confirmed idiopathic PVT. The management strategy of systemic anticoagulation with apixaban and multidisciplinary follow-up underscores the treatment challenges of rare presentations. This case accentuates the importance of considering PVT in differential diagnoses of atypical chest pain and contributes valuable insights into the diagnosis, understanding and management of this uncommon condition.

LEARNING POINTS

Pulmonary vein thrombosis (PVT) may present as chest pain, especially in patients with a history of prior blood clots and can occur without an underlying malignancy or coagulation disorder.Utilising a chest CT angiogram with delayed contrast timing is effective in detecting pulmonary vein thrombus.Systemic anticoagulation proves effective in managing pulmonary vein thrombus; however, further data on dosage and duration are required for better guidance.

Pulmonary Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolus in a Pregnant Patient: A Case Report

We report a case of a pregnant woman who presented to the emergency department complaining of dyspnea and syncope and was ultimately diagnosed with pulmonary vein thrombosis and a saddle pulmonary embolus on computed tomography pulmonary angiography. Proper identification is critical for prompt management to avoid significant life-threatening sequela.