title: Embolic cerebral infarction and gastrointestinal hemorrhage following thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: We report an unusual case of cerebral embolization that occurred after intravenous thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction. Direct observation by serial echocardiograms in this patient confirmed that the thrombolytic treatment induced lysis and fragmentation of thrombus, and the subsequent dislodging and embolization of preexisting cardiac thrombi, which caused the cerebral infarction. It is suggested that an echocardiogram, if instantly available, be performed before considering thrombolytic therapy whenever acute anterior wall myocardial infarction is impressed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Jen Ai Hospital, Tali, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Michael Chich-kuang
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Andrew Ying-siu
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wen-fung
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Tien-jen
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004452:Echocardiography; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator