Elderly woman survives stroke, cardiac arrest after complex medical interventions

A 71-year-old woman faced a critical medical emergency after suffering a stroke, compounded by subsequent cardiac complications. Initially rushed to Changhua Christian Hospital (CCH) after her son noticed symptoms including drooling, right-sided weakness, and abnormal walking, she was diagnosed with an acute ischemic stroke affecting the left middle cerebral artery.

Doctors administered a thrombolytic agent and recommended an endovascular thrombectomy to clear the blockage. Although the woman initially hesitated, her condition worsened, with the stroke severity increasing. She eventually consented to the thrombectomy, which successfully restored blood flow to her brain.

However, during the procedure, she experienced an episode of arrhythmia, which was managed with electrical cardioversion. Her medical journey took another critical turn when she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while hospitalized. The medical team immediately performed CPR, successfully reviving her heart. She was then transferred to the intensive care unit for close monitoring and treatment by a joint team of cardiologists and critical care physicians.

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The patient suddenly developed right-sided weakness and slurred speech, and was confirmed to have a blockage in the left middle cerebral artery. Emergency treatment included thrombolysis and arterial thrombectomy.

Further investigations revealed that her recurrent arrhythmias, which led to the cardiac arrest, were diagnosed as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. A cardiac catheterization and ablation procedure were performed to address the underlying heart rhythm issue, resolving the problem. The hospital also adjusted her asthma medication in consultation with pulmonologists.

After a month of hospitalization and recovery, the woman was discharged and returned home. Doctors at CCH emphasized the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms, such as facial drooping, unilateral weakness, and slurred speech, and urged immediate medical attention by calling emergency services. They also highlighted the need for patients with chronic conditions like heart disease and asthma to inform their doctors to help identify potential co-existing risks.

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Recurrent arrhythmia and even cardiac arrest were the most dangerous stages of the entire treatment process. Through detailed evaluation, the lesion was identified and treated with ablation, which fundamentally resolved the arrhythmia problem.