Endovascular therapy for hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation and cerebral thromboembolism: A case series

Abstract

Introduction: Hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation are at high risk for stroke. Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is considered for acute ischemic stroke. However, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator therapy is contraindicated for some hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation. These patients and those who have received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator therapy without blood flow recovery are candidates for endovascular therapy. Methods and results: Three hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation received endovascular therapy for acute cerebral infarction. Cerebrovascular incident occurred during or after hemodialysis in two of these patients. All three patients achieved successful recanalization after endovascular therapy. Conclusion: In this series, endovascular therapy showed good results without complications. More cases should be investigated to obtain more evidence of successful endovascular therapy for hemodialysis patients.