Thrombolysis for stroke caused by infective endocarditis: an illustrative case and review of the literature

J Neurol. 2013 May;260(5):1339-42. doi: 10.1007/s00415-012-6802-1. Epub 2013 Jan 5.

Abstract

Infective endocarditis represents a classical contra-indication to thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke due to a potential increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage. However, some case reports have suggested safety and potential efficacy of intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis in stroke related to infective endocarditis. We present a case of ischemic stroke related to infective endocarditis who was treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator within the first 3 h of symptoms onset and subsequently developed symptomatic multifocal intracerebral hemorrhages, and summarize currently available data on this issue.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / complications*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Stroke / complications
  • Stroke / etiology*
  • Stroke / therapy*
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / adverse effects*

Supplementary concepts

  • Cerebral Angiopathy, Dysphoric