Catastrophic cerebral infarction during extracorporeal life support due to a rare anomaly in the circle of Willis

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2019 Nov 1;29(5):816-817. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivz169.

Abstract

During extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in infants, cannulation of the right common carotid artery may result in a devastating ischaemic neurological injury. Herein, we present a case of an infant who encountered bilateral cerebral infarction during ECLS via the right carotid artery due to a rare and tragic anomaly of the circle of Willis. The magnetic resonance angiography complemented computed tomography in diagnosing the infarction and identifying this unique anatomy.

Keywords: Circle of Willis; Extracorporeal life support; Stroke.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Infarction / etiology*
  • Circle of Willis / abnormalities*
  • Circle of Willis / diagnostic imaging
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography / methods
  • Male
  • Rare Diseases
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vascular Malformations / complications*
  • Vascular Malformations / diagnosis
  • Vascular Malformations / therapy