Paradoxical Cerebral Air Embolism after Cardiac Ablation in Williams-Beuren Syndrome: A Clinico-Pathological Correlation.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Non-traumatic neurological deterioration is a medical emergency that may arise from diverse causes, to include cerebral infarction or intracranial hemorrhage, meningoencephalitis, seizure, hypoxic-ischemic or toxic/metabolic encephalopathy, poisoning, or drug intoxication. We describe the abrupt onset of neurological deterioration in a 53-year-old man with Williams-Beuren syndrome, a sporadically occurring genetic disorder caused by chromosomal microdeletion at 7q11.23. The clinical phenotype of Williams-Beuren syndrome is suggested by distinctive elfin facies, limited intellect, unique personality features, growth abnormalities, and endocrinopathies. The causative microdeletion of chromosomal material will frequently involve loss of the elastin gene, ELN, with resulting arteriopathy, supravalvular aortic stenosis, non-ischemic cardiopathy, and atrial fibrillation. Our patient sustained acute neurological decline within one month after undergoing a cardiac ablative procedure to convert atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. We present our findings in the setting of a clinico-pathological correlation, in which we reveal the cause of the abrupt neurological deterioration and discuss how our patient was affected by an uncommon stroke disorder.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Ionel, DL; Odago, FO; Ene, AN; Lee, JD; O'Connor, WN; Goldstein, LB; Pettigrew, LC
Published Date
- April 2022
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 31 / 4
Start / End Page
- 106317 -
PubMed ID
- 35123277
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1532-8511
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106317
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States