Therapeutic Challenges After Successful Thrombectomy In A Patient With An Antiphospholipid Syndrome Associated M1-Occlusion: A Case Report

Backround: Stroke is a frequent disorder in patients with an antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Due to a high risk for further thromboembolic events, appropriate anticoagulation therapy in patients with an APS-associated stroke seems mandatory but drug eluting and duration is a matter of debate.Case: A 48-year-old female patient presented with Broca's aphasia and mild hemiparesis on the right side. Diagnostic workup revealed left middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion yet without diffusion-weighted lesions. Due to a thrombocytopenia (67.00 g/l) systemic thrombolysis was not indicated and endovascular treatment was initiated 150 min after symptom onset. After successful clot retrieval, recurrent re-occlusions lead to the necessity of stent implantation and anticoagulation, respectively. On day 5 she developed a new severe right-sided hemiparesis. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a subtotal restenosis of the left MCA despite the regular anticoagulation regime leading to a new left MCA ischaemic stroke. In the meantime, the unknown aetiology, the patients' age and the thrombocytopenia let to further diagnostic workup. Elevated blood parameters such as lupus anticoagulant (LA)-1, LA-ratio, positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), p-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), c-ANCA confirmed the diagnosis of APS.Conclusion: This case report showed the feasibility of mechanical clot retrieval and stent implantation in patients with APS. Due to the elevated risk of in-stent thrombosis a prolonged therapy with glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists in the initial postoperative period and further anticoagulation with coumarin derivate might be needed.