Watershed Infarct in Beta-Thalassemia Major Patient

Abstract

Background . The mechanism of stroke in beta-thalassemia was reported previously as cardioembolic and hypercoagulable state. However, there is no report of watershed infarct in beta-thalassemia anemia. Method . We present an adult β -thalassemia major patient with manifest asymptomatic chronic left carotid occlusion who suffered watershed infarct. Result . In the presence of asymptomatic chronic left internal carotid occlusion, we assumed that severe anemia (hemoglobin = 3) at admission leads to watershed infarct. Conclusion . Watershed infarct seems to be the cause of stroke in cases of β -thalassemia major with severe anemia. Blood transfusion can be applied in the setting of acute brain ischemia in such high risk patients.