Successful intra-arterial thrombolysis beyond the accepted 6-hour time window in two young patients

Systemic Embolism Following Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Case of Suspected Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Objective

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a disease characterized by a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate, leading to systemic thrombosis. Approximately two-thirds of CAPS cases are associated with conditions such as infections, malignancies, surgical interventions, and events linked to the disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we present a case of CAPS with multiorgan ischemia following ischemic stroke.

Case Presentation

In this case report, a 33-year-old woman with a history of SLE and prolonged steroid use manifested impaired consciousness. Detection of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion led to successful ICA recanalization through endovascular thrombectomy. Postoperatively, she experienced pulmonary embolism and renal infarction. Although antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was suspected, APS-related antibodies were negative. Anticoagulation therapy was initiated, presuming corticosteroid-induced thrombosis. However, she developed multiorgan thrombosis, culminating in multiple organ failure. Based on her clinical course, a diagnosis of CAPS was established. Intensive care and plasma exchange therapy were instrumental in her recovery, and she was discharged with a modified Rankin Scale score of 4.

Conclusion

When encountering multiorgan ischemia following ischemic stroke in a young adult patient with an autoimmune disease, the consideration of CAPS as a differential diagnosis is crucial, even if APS-related antibodies test negative.

Therapeutic challenges after successful thrombectomy in a patient with an antiphospholipid syndrome associated M1-occlusion: A case report

BACKROUND

Stroke is a frequent disorder in patients with an antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Due to a high risk for further thromboembolic events, appropriate anticoagulation therapy in patients with an APS-associated stroke seems mandatory but drug eluting and duration is a matter of debate.

CASE

A 48-year-old female patient presented with Broca's aphasia and mild hemiparesis on the right side. Diagnostic work-up revealed left middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion yet without diffusion-weighted lesions. Due to a thrombocytopenia (67.00 g/l) systemic thrombolysis was not indicated and endovascular treatment was initiated 150 min after symptom onset. After successful clot retrieval, recurrent re-occlusions lead to the necessity of stent implantation and anticoagulation, respectively. On day 5 she developed a new severe right-sided hemiparesis. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a subtotal restenosis of the left MCA despite the regular anticoagulation regime leading to a new left MCA ischaemic stroke. In the meantime, the unknown aetiology, the patients' age and the thrombocytopenia let to further diagnostic workup. Elevated blood parameters such as lupus anticoagulant (LA)-1, LA-ratio, positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), p-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), c-ANCA confirmed the diagnosis of APS.

CONCLUSION

This case report showed the feasibility of mechanical clot retrieval and stent implantation in patients with APS. Due to the elevated risk of in-stent thrombosis a prolonged therapy with glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists in the initial postoperative period and further anticoagulation with coumarin derivate might be needed.