Spontaneous artery dissection in a patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between human immunodeficiency virus infection and stroke may be attributed in some cases to an underlying vasculopathy such as in spontaneous cervical arteries dissections.


METHODS
We report the case of an HIV-infected patient who developed a Wallemberg's syndrome due to a vertebral artery dissection. Screening laboratory exams showed hyperhomocysteinemia and also high C-reactive protein plasma levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first case describing the association between arterial dissection (AD) and HIV-infection. We suggest that AD should also be remembered as a possible mechanism of ischemic stroke in HIV-infected patients.
Felício
André Carvalho
AC
Department of Neurology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. cf.andre@terra.com.br
Silva
Gisele Sampaio
GS
dos Santos
William Adolfo Celso
WA
Pieri
Alexandre
A
Gabbai
Alberto Alain
AA
Massaro
Ayrton Roberto
AR
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D014854:Lateral Medullary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020217:Vertebral Artery Dissection / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006710:Homocysteine; D006493:Heparin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein