Sudden Onset Hemiplegia and Neglect: A Case Report of Type A Aortic Dissection Presenting as a Code Stroke

Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with ischemic stroke is a rare yet highly morbid presentation of sudden onset neurological symptoms. We present a case of a 57-year-old African American male brought to the emergency department with a witnessed syncopal episode, abdominal pain, right sided gaze preference, and left side weakness. Upon initiation of the hospital’s “Code Stroke” response protocol, a computed tomography angiogram of the neck incidentally identified Stanford type A aortic dissection with extension into and occlusion of the brachiocephalic artery, occlusion of the right common carotid artery and right internal carotid artery, and dissection flap propagation into the origin of the left common carotid artery. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and the entire spine demonstrated multifocal cerebral infarcts, as well as T10 - L1 spinal infarct. Despite provision of multidisciplinary intensive care unit level of care, the patient failed to demonstrate clinically significant neurological recovery and was transitioned to comfort care after 3 weeks of hospitalization. This case highlights the importance of considering acute aortic dissection as a potential etiology of acute ischemic stroke through the use of computed tomography angiography, as this diagnosis carries profoundly different implications for the consideration of thrombolytic agents and other emergent treatment modalities. J Neurol Res. 2020;10(6):248-252 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr638