Simultaneous acute myocardial infarction, bilateral pulmonary embolism, and acute ischaemic cerebral stroke, a delayed complication in a patient with COVID-19 infection: case report

Yield of Whole Body Computed Tomography in Hyper-Acute Stroke Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion

PURPOSE

In the majority of cases, large vessel occlusion (LVO) in ischemic stroke patients has an embolic origin. Systemic embolism can occur simultaneously with brain thrombosis. This retrospective study evaluated the frequency and locations of systemic embolism in LVO stroke patients receiving revascularization therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In our facility, we use contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) to assess suspected stroke patients and routinely perform CE-CT from the chest to the abdomen after brain CT angiography to rule out contraindications like aortic dissection and trauma for thrombolysis. Systemic embolism is also assessed using these images, while myocardial infarction is evaluated based on electrocardiograms and laboratory findings. Other relevant clinical features of each patient are also analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 612 consecutively admitted stroke patients and 32 LVO patients who underwent revascularization therapy were included in the present study. Systemic embolism was identified in four patients (13%). The spleen was the most commonly affected organ, followed by the heart, kidneys, limbs, and lungs. All four patients with systemic embolism exhibited LVO resulting from embolism as the underlying mechanism.

CONCLUSION

Systemic embolism was observed in 13% of our LVO patients, all of whom had LVO of embolic origin.

Concurrent Cardio-Cerebral Infarctions in COVID-19: A Systematic Review of Published Case Reports/Series

Twelve CCI patients were studied with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. The majority of these patients were males (83.3%) with a median age of 55 years from three geographical locations, constituting the Middle East (7), Spain (3), and the USA (1). In 6 patients, IgG/IgM was positive for COVID-19, 4 with high pretest probability and 2 with positive RT-PCR. Type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia, and smoking were the primary risk factors. Right-sided neurological impairments and verbal impairment were the most common symptoms. Our analysis found 8 (66%) synchronous occurrences. In 58.3% of cases, neuroimaging showed left Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) infarct and 33.3% right. Carotid artery thrombosis (16.6%), tandem occlusion (8.3%), and carotid stenosis (1%) were also reported in imaging. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and anticoagulants were conservative therapies (10). Two AMI patients had aspiration thrombectomy, while three AIS patients had intravenous thrombolysis/tissue plasminogen activator (IVT-tPA), 2 had mechanical thrombectomy (MT), and 1 had decompressive craniotomy. Five had COVID-19-positive chest X-rays, whereas 4 were normal. four of 8 STEMI and 3 NSTEMI/UA patients complained chest pain. LV, ICA, and pulmonary embolism were further complications (2). Upon discharge, 7 patients (70%) had residual deficits while 1 patient unfortunately died.

The Simultaneous Occurrence of Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Acute Ischemic Stroke, and Pulmonary Embolism

Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and acute pulmonary embolism (PE) are life-threatening conditions, each posing a high risk of morbidity and mortality. When all three of these acute conditions occur simultaneously, the overall prognosis for the patient becomes considerably worse. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a triad of acute STEMI, AIS, and PE as a consequence of atherosclerotic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and a prolonged transatlantic flight. The diagnoses were promptly confirmed through emergent coronary and cerebral angiography, along with a computerized tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). The patient underwent a combination of medical therapy and endovascular thrombectomy. However, she later developed a subarachnoid hemorrhage and eventually progressed to brain death.

Acute Cerebral Infarct and Saddle Pulmonary Embolism in a Post-COVID-19 Patient Treated With Thrombolytics

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with a prothrombotic state during active infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). However, reports of delayed multisystemic COVID-19-associated thromboembolic sequelae are limited in the current literature. In addition, the initiation of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in patients for the prevention of such events during and after infection remains controversial due to conflicting reports. Here, we present evidence to support that patients with comorbid conditions are at higher risk for multisystemic COVID-19-associated thromboembolic events and propose that beginning prophylactic therapy in this population could lead to more favorable outcomes. We describe a 67-year-old male who presented with left-sided weakness and worsening shortness of breath and was diagnosed with COVID-19 approximately one month prior. Initial computed tomography (CT) of the brain showed an age-indeterminate cerebellar infarct. On CT angiography (CTA) of the neck, a saddle embolus was incidentally found and was confirmed on an immediate follow-up chest CT. After consultation with neurology, a decision was made to administer thrombolytics at the standard recommended stroke dosing. The patient was admitted to the ICU and received mechanical thrombectomy two days later. At the time of hospital discharge, the patient still had left-sided weakness on examination and required no additional oxygen support. This report reviews the prevalence of delayed sequelae of COVID-19 and the benefit of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy during active and post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is important for emergency medicine physicians to recognize that patients who have recovered from COVID-19 are at high risk for delayed thromboembolic disease, even in the absence of personal or family history of coagulopathy. This underscores the necessity of obtaining imaging studies in high-risk patients who present with acute symptoms that cannot be explained by other probable causes. In addition, patients should be encouraged to follow up with their primary care providers to discuss prophylactic anticoagulation therapy as it could be beneficial during and post-COVID-19.

Late Onset Occurrence of Concomitant Myocardial Infarction and Ischemic Stroke in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patient: A Case Report

We described the case of a 68-year-old COVID-19 patient with hypertension and dyslipidemia who discontinued the cardiovascular medications during hospitalization and experienced a late onset occurrence of concomitant ST-elevation myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke at resolution of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

Effects of Acupuncture Combined with Biofeedback Therapy on Limb Motor Rehabilitation in Patients with Acute Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

The purpose of the systematic review is to verify the effect of biofeedback therapy on limb motor rehabilitation in patients with acute stroke and to provide evidence-based medicine for the promotion and use of biofeedback therapy.

Methods

The randomized controlled trials (RCT) of biofeedback therapy in the treatment of cerebral palsy were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China VIP Database, Wanfang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). The starting time and ending time of this study are from the time of building the database of the number of pieces to October 31, 2018. The data included in this study were extracted by two independent researchers and evaluated the bias risk of all the literature included in the study according to the Cochrane manual 5.1.0 criteria. RevMan5.4 statistical software was used to analyze the collected data by meta.

Results

This systematic review included 9 RCT studies with a total of 1410 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were significant differences in the improvement of lower limb muscle tension, comprehensive spasm scale score, EMG score, and passive range of motion of ankle joint between biofeedback therapy and routine rehabilitation therapy.

Conclusion

Biofeedback therapy can improve lower limb muscle tension, spasticity, EMG integral value, and passive range of motion of ankle joint in children with cerebral palsy and provide better conditions for improving the motor ability of lower extremities in children with cerebral palsy. However, more studies and follow-up with higher methodological quality and longer intervention time are needed to further verify.

Two is not always better than one: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and acute pulmonary embolism in COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a significant global health burden with potential consequences on the cardiovascular system. We describe a case of a healthy male with no prior cardiovascular risk factors who developed ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism following a diagnosis of severe COVID-19 pneumonitis. The patient made a significant recovery following coronary thromboaspiration and anticoagulation therapy. Multiple mechanisms including an indirect hyperinflammatory immune response and/or direct endothelial damage may explain the prothrombotic state related to COVID-19. The cytokine storm leads to endothelial dysfunction and subsequent thromboembolism. Awareness of the lethal cardio-pulmonary sequalae of COVID-19 is important as surges continue across the world owing to new variants.

Aortic Thrombus Embolization in A Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder affecting many organ systems. Patients commonly develop a variety of benign tumors as well as neurological disease, including seizures, autism, and cognitive delay. We report here the case of an adolescent patient with TSC and a history of mild COVID-19 who presented with a 1-day history of altered mental status. The patient was found to have ischemic cerebral infarction of the right MCA and ACA territories. Initial angiography showed an occlusion of the right internal carotid artery without a demonstrable etiology, with follow-up echocardiography and angiography revealing a large aortic thrombus. The patient was not a candidate for thrombus removal due to her cerebral infarct and received medical anticoagulation. Thrombosis progressed to involve the left ICA, with left cerebral infarction and subsequent death. Aortic thrombus embolization as a cause of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a novel finding in the setting of TSC and should be considered for pediatric patients with CVA of unknown etiology. It is unclear whether this was related to the prior COVID-19 infection.