Carotid Artery Stenting for the Treatment of Fatal Acute Cerebral Infarction Associated with Aortic Dissection

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) complicated with acute cerebral infarction lacks a unified treatment plan. We report probably the most effective treatment of a type A AAD with acute cerebral infarction leading to coma. A 43-year-old man presented with acute hemiplegia and unconsciousness. He was diagnosed as acute cerebral infarction. After an ineffective emergency intravenous thrombolysis, a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) examination revealed the severe cerebral artery occlusion, and the TICI 3 level was achieved by stent implantation in the left common carotid artery with significant neurological recovery. A type A AAD was found at the 1 month follow-up ultrasound examination and a further thoracic surgery was performed successfully. Carotid ultrasound is helpful for the diagnosis of AAD from acute cerebral infarction. Carotid artery stenting followed by thoracic surgery is effective in this kind of emergency situations. Further studies are needed to determine the exact indications.