A Case of Brain-Stem Infarction Due to Embolectomy of the Left Subclavian Artery Embolism

Abstract

A 93-year-old female with atrial fibrillation was referred to our hospital for sudden numbness, pain and weakness of the left upper limb. Enhanced CT revealed that an origin of a left subclavian artery was obstructed. Embolectomy using a Fogarty catheter was performed. The patient showed decreasing level of consciousness, immediately after the surgery. MRI showed pontine, cerebellar and bilateral thalamic infarction, and MRA revealed a contrast defect of basilar artery. The patient died about ten hours later. Embolectomy of subclavian artery is not recommended because it may have a high risk of cerebral infarction.