Cerebral Embolism of Probable Aortic Origin

This 70-year-old woman was admitted with acute left hemiparesis. A CT scan revealed a new calcified object in the right middle cerebral artery. A 70-year-old woman was hospitalized for intermittent, reversible cerebral ischemia causing weakness of the right side for several days, before resolving. A computed tomographic (CT) scan showed no intracranial abnormalities. She was found to have 99% stenosis of the left carotid artery, and a left carotid endarterectomy was performed. Aspirin therapy (325 mg daily) was initiated, and the patient was discharged. Carotid ultrasonography performed as part of routine follow-up 2 years later was normal, without clinically significant stenosis on either side. One month later, the patient was admitted with acute left hemiparesis. A CT scan revealed a new calcified object . . .