Recurrent Transient Ischemic Attack in the Elderly due to Asymptomatic Atrial Septal Defect: An Unusual Scenario

Abstract

Atrial septal defects (ASD) are congenital cardiac anomalies, characterized by abnormal communication between the atria. These are commonly diagnosed in childhood and occasionally remain asymptomatic and undetected until the later stages of life. In ASD, there is communication between atria. Until the 4th decade of life, the majority of ASD are asymptomatic. Some exhibit the signs of exhaustion, syncope, exercise intolerance, and dyspnea with effort. Eisenmenger syndrome, paradoxical embolism, and atrial arrhythmias are among the problems that some people may later on develop. We describe a particular case of a 70-year-old male who arrived with a transient ischemic attack where he had left-sided upper limb weakness due to a paradoxical embolism due to ASD.

Keywords

• atrial septal defect
• embolism
• transient ischemic attack