Complex Aortic Plaques; an Emerging Source of Life Threatening Cardioembolic Ischemic Infarction

Noman Ahmed Jang Khan^1, , Saad Ullah¹ and Joshan Suri¹

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Temple University/Conemaugh Memorial Hospital, Johnstown, PA, USA

Cite this paper:
Noman Ahmed Jang Khan, Saad Ullah and Joshan Suri. Complex Aortic Plaques; an Emerging Source of Life Threatening Cardioembolic Ischemic Infarction. American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2017; 5(4):94-100. doi: 10.12691/ajmcr-5-4-5

Abstract

Cardioembolic ischemic infarction, the most severe subtype of ischemic strokes account for approximately 15-30 % of all ischemic strokes. The most common associated disorders include atrial fibrillation, recent myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, mechanical prosthetic valve, and mitral rheumatic stenosis. Complex calcified atheromatosis of the aorta, defined as calcified plaques measuring > 4mm in size, ulcerated or having a mobile component are potentially emerging sources of cardioembolic infarction. We present a case of severe cardioembolism with evidence of complicated calcified aortic plaques in an otherwise healthy78 year old female.

Keywords:
complex aortic plaques embolic infarcts ischemic infarction

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