Introduction: The frequency, severity, cost of treatment, morbidity and mortality of stroke make it a real public health problem. In industrialized countries, strokes are the leading cause of physical disability in ad...Introduction: The frequency, severity, cost of treatment, morbidity and mortality of stroke make it a real public health problem. In industrialized countries, strokes are the leading cause of physical disability in adults, the second leading cause of dementia (after Alzheimer’s disease), and the third leading cause of death (after cancer and cardiovascular disease). It’s also a major cause of depression. The objective of our study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects of stroke in the internal medicine department of Tivaouane Hospital. Material and Method: This is a retrospective study carried out from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 on the files of patients hospitalized for stroke in the medical department of the EPS1 in Tivaouane. We took into account all the patients who had a brain CT (computed tomography) scan. We collected data related to socio-demographic characteristics, history, risk factors, reasons for admission, clinical signs, paraclinical examinations, as well as evolution. Results: Out of 1999 patients, 206 files of patients with stroke were collected, i.e. a proportion of 10.3%. Our study population had a mean age of 65.53 years [16 - 97 years]. We noted a clear predominance of women (50.5%). The majority of the population came from the outskirts of Tivaouane (56.7%). Risk factors for stroke were dominated by hypertension (90.3%), dyslipidemia (19.4%), previous stroke (18.9%), and diabetes (16%). The clinical signs were dominated by a motor deficit (94.1%), speech disorders (67.4%) and consciousness disorders (47%). Ischemic strokes were predominant (65%) over hemorrhagic strokes (34.5%). The outcome was generally unfavorable with 14.6% total recovery, 58.7% recovery with sequelae and a case fatality of 26.7%. Conclusion: It emerges from this study that strokes still remain a real public health problem. Knowledge of populations of risk factors as well as their proper management is fundamental in primary prevention strategies, the only guarantee for a reduction in the still very high morbidity and mortality of this disease.展开更多
Objectives: Appreciate the Medical direct cost for cerebrovascular accident on medical recovery at the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital of Lomé. Patients and method: This was a prospective and cross study that ...Objectives: Appreciate the Medical direct cost for cerebrovascular accident on medical recovery at the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital of Lomé. Patients and method: This was a prospective and cross study that took place from 01st October 2015 to 31st July 2016 in the medical recovery Unit of Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital of Lomé. Results: Of the 91 stroke patients surveyed, the average age was 55.1 years;the sex-ratio (Men/women) was 1.3 and only 8.8% of patients had benefited from INAM (National Institute of Health Insurance) granting of benefits. The proportion of ICVA was 73.6% compared to 26.4% for the MCVA. The average overall cost of granting benefits of a CVA patient was 312,245 FCFA for an average stay of 18.6 days. This cost was 399.115 FCFA in MCVA for an average stay of 19.0 days against 281.130 FCFA in ICVA for an average stay of 16.1 days. Conclusion: CVAs on the one hand inflict losses of national productivity by its handicap, and a heavy economic burden for both patients and their families on the other hand, by its high cost of granting of benefits;Hence there is the need for assistance of all kinds by national and international health actors.展开更多
One hundred and sixty cases of sequelae of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) wererandomly divided into three groups: The temporal point group (TG), 58 cases; the scalp acupuncturegroup(SG), 52 cases; the body acupuncture...One hundred and sixty cases of sequelae of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) wererandomly divided into three groups: The temporal point group (TG), 58 cases; the scalp acupuncturegroup(SG), 52 cases; the body acupuncture group(BG), 50 cases. It was shown that after 30 treat-ments the curative effects were significantly different (P【0. 01) among the three groups. The effectin TG was better than those in SG and BG. There was no difference in curative effects between SGand BG. It is indicated that all the three needling techniques can improve encephalic blood flow in pa-tients. It seems that the effects of the three needling techniques are as follows: TG】SG】BG.展开更多
Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis who later suffer a stroke and to identify associations for this relationship. Background: Prior...Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis who later suffer a stroke and to identify associations for this relationship. Background: Prior studies have showed an increased risk of cardiovascular disease among patients with chronic inflammatory disorders, with chronic inflammation leading to atherosclerosis believed to be the culprit. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by diffuse fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Previous studies have suggested a possible link between systemic sclerosis and macrovascular complications such as stroke. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of patients treated within the University of Pennsylvania Health System from October 2015 to April 2019 with a diagnosis of SSc. Using ICD10 codes, we identified a cohort of SSc patients who suffered a stroke. Information regarding demographics and stroke risk factors were gathered from the charts of patients with a diagnosis of both SSc plus stroke and compared to a control group of randomly selected patients with SSc who never suffered a stroke. Continuous variables were conveyed using a mean plus a standard deviation. A two-sample t-test was used to compare the two groups of patients. Qualitative variables were compared using a two-tailed Fisher’s exact test. Results: Based on a large cohort of SSc patients (n = 2080) followed between October 2015 and April 2019, we identified 36 SSc patients who developed a subsequent stroke (1.7% of cohort). When looking at risk factors for stroke in SSc patients, we identified hypertension and atrial fibrillation to be associated with the diagnosis of stroke in such patients. Specifically, 28 of the 36 patients with both SSc and stroke also had a diagnosis of hypertension while in the control group, only 17 of 36 patients had hypertension. Atrial fibrillation was seen in 9 of 36 patients with both SSc and CVA while it was seen in only 2 of 36 patients in the control group. Conclusions: This case control study demonstrated that the presence of hypertension and atrial fibrillation had a statistically significant association with the diagnosis of CVA in patients with SSc.展开更多
Background:Cerebrovascular accident has high morbidity,high disability,and high mortality,possibly causing several serious sequelae and bringing a heavy burden to the patient,the family,and the society.Buyang Huanwu d...Background:Cerebrovascular accident has high morbidity,high disability,and high mortality,possibly causing several serious sequelae and bringing a heavy burden to the patient,the family,and the society.Buyang Huanwu decoction,a classic ancient prescription of traditional Chinese medicine,and acupuncture are often used in combination to treat the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident.In the present study,we systematically evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with Buyang Huanwu decoction in treating the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident.Methods:Relevant randomized controlled trials of acupuncture combined with Buyang Huanwu decoction in treating the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident were comprehensively retrieved from electronic databases from inception to May 8,2020,including PubMed,Embase,The Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,WanFang Data,and China Science and Technology Journal Database.The main outcomes of clinical efficacy,degree of nerve function impairment,daily self-care capacity,Fugl-Meyer locomotor function score,life quality score,and occurrence of adverse reactions were subjected to meta-analysis.Results:The 28 randomized controlled trials included 2,341 patients with the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident.Systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that compared with acupuncture alone,its combined treatment with Buyang Huanwu decoction significantly increased clinical efficacy(RR=1.19,95%CI(1.14,1.23),P<0.001),improved nerve function impairment(WMD=−4.89,95%CI(−8.25,−1.53),P=0.004),promoted daily self-care capacity(WMD=15.87,95%CI(11.22,20.51),P<0.001),strengthened Fugl-Meyer locomotor function(WMD=20.89,95%CI(13.79,27.98),P<0.001),enhanced physical functioning(WMD=16.99,95%CI(6.01,27.96),P<0.001)and mental health(WMD=16.91,95%CI(9.14,24.69),P<0.001)in terms of life quality score(SF-36 scale)of patients with sequelae of cerebrovascular accident,with few adverse reactions.Conclusion:Compared with acupuncture alone,its combination with Buyang Huanwu decoction had better comprehensive effects on sequelae of cerebrovascular accident without obvious adverse reactions.展开更多
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate an application of Rasch analysis to identify differences in disability profiles resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and to exam...The purpose of this study was to demonstrate an application of Rasch analysis to identify differences in disability profiles resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and to examine outcome differences between the two groups following post-hospital residential rehabilitation. Participant data were collected from 32 facilities in 16 states. From 2990 neurologically impaired individuals with consecutive admissions from 2011 through 2017, 874 met inclusion criteria: TBI (n = 687) or CVA (n = 187), 18 years or older, minimum length of stay of one month, and maximum chronicity of 1 year. Participants were evaluated at admission and discharge on the Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-Version 4 (MPAI-4). Rasch analysis was performed to establish item reliability, construct validity and item difficulty. A Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (RM MANCOVA) determined group differences and improvement from admission and discharge. Rasch Analysis demonstrated satisfactory construct validity and internal consistency (Person reliability > 0.90, Item reliability > 0.98 for admission and discharge MPAI-4s). Both groups showed significant improvement on the MPAI-4 (p 0.0005). The TBI group was more impaired on the adjustment scale at both admission and discharge (p 0.001). Rasch analysis identified two distinct impairment patterns. CVA participants exhibited deficits characteristic of focal impairment while the TBI group presented with deficits reflective of diffuse impairment. Rehabilitation was shown to be beneficial in reducing disability following neurologic injury in both groups. Importantly, Rasch Analysis accurately produced unique disability profiles that differentiated the treatment groups. This unique statistical technique offers a promising prescriptive hierarchical model for guiding neurological rehabilitation treatment.展开更多
Aspirin is widely used for primary or secondary prevention of ischemic events.At the same time,chronic aspirin consumption can affect blood clot formation during surgical intervention and increase intraoperative blood...Aspirin is widely used for primary or secondary prevention of ischemic events.At the same time,chronic aspirin consumption can affect blood clot formation during surgical intervention and increase intraoperative blood loss.This is especially important for high-risk surgery,including neurosurgery.Current European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend aspirin interruption for at least 7 d before neurosurgical intervention,but this suggestion is not supported by clinical evidence.This narrative review presents evidence that challenges the necessity for aspirin interruption in neurosurgical patients,describes options for aspirin effect monitoring and the clinical implication of these methods,and summarizes current clinical data on bleeding risk associated with chronic aspirin therapy in neurosurgical patients,including brain tumor surgery,cerebrovascular procedures,and spinal surgery.展开更多
BACKGROUND Patients with stroke frequently experience pulmonary dysfunction.AIM To explore the effects of information-motivation-behavioral(IMB)skills modelbased nursing care on pulmonary function,blood gas indices,co...BACKGROUND Patients with stroke frequently experience pulmonary dysfunction.AIM To explore the effects of information-motivation-behavioral(IMB)skills modelbased nursing care on pulmonary function,blood gas indices,complication rates,and quality of life(QoL)in stroke patients with pulmonary dysfunction.METHODS We conducted a controlled study involving 120 stroke patients with pulmonary dysfunction.The control group received routine care,whereas the intervention group received IMB-model-based nursing care.Various parameters including pulmonary function,blood gas indices,complication rates,and QoL were assessed before and after the intervention.RESULTS Baseline data of the control and intervention groups were comparable.Post-intervention,the IMB model-based care group showed significant improvements in pulmonary function indicators,forced expiratory volume in 1 sec,forced vital capacity,and peak expiratory flow compared with the control group.Blood gas indices,such as arterial oxygen pressure and arterial oxygen saturation,increased significantly,and arterial carbon dioxide partial.pressure decreased significantly in the IMB model-based care group compared with the control group.The intervention group also had a lower complication rate(6.67%vs 23.33%)and higher QoL scores across all domains than the control group.CONCLUSION IMB model-based nursing care significantly enhanced pulmonary function,improved blood gas indices,reduced complication rates,and improved the QoL of stroke patients with pulmonary dysfunction.Further research is needed to validate these results and to assess the long-term efficacy and broader applicability of the model.展开更多
The distention of the colon without mechanical or anatomical obstruction, Acute Colonic Pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), is a common condition occurring in the critically ill. ACPO in the setting of an acute pulmonary embol...The distention of the colon without mechanical or anatomical obstruction, Acute Colonic Pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), is a common condition occurring in the critically ill. ACPO in the setting of an acute pulmonary embolism and embolic stroke is a rarity. A 76-year-old female with shortness of breath, left hemiparesis and right-sided paresthesias presented with acute pulmonary embolism and acute infarcts of the left caudate nucleus, thalamus and occipital lobe. Her hospitalization was complicated with persistent distention of the large bowel without dilation of the small bowel. Empiric antibiotics were initiated without improvement and laboratory studies including Clostridium difficile were negative. She underwent nasogastric decompression and two decompressive colonoscopies with a resolution of her symptoms. This case illustrates an example of acute abdominal distension, without underlying etiology, in the setting of acute embolism of the pulmonary and cerebral vasculature. Early identification and action with decompressive colonoscopy were key to preventing further bowel damage or rupture.展开更多
文摘Introduction: The frequency, severity, cost of treatment, morbidity and mortality of stroke make it a real public health problem. In industrialized countries, strokes are the leading cause of physical disability in adults, the second leading cause of dementia (after Alzheimer’s disease), and the third leading cause of death (after cancer and cardiovascular disease). It’s also a major cause of depression. The objective of our study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects of stroke in the internal medicine department of Tivaouane Hospital. Material and Method: This is a retrospective study carried out from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 on the files of patients hospitalized for stroke in the medical department of the EPS1 in Tivaouane. We took into account all the patients who had a brain CT (computed tomography) scan. We collected data related to socio-demographic characteristics, history, risk factors, reasons for admission, clinical signs, paraclinical examinations, as well as evolution. Results: Out of 1999 patients, 206 files of patients with stroke were collected, i.e. a proportion of 10.3%. Our study population had a mean age of 65.53 years [16 - 97 years]. We noted a clear predominance of women (50.5%). The majority of the population came from the outskirts of Tivaouane (56.7%). Risk factors for stroke were dominated by hypertension (90.3%), dyslipidemia (19.4%), previous stroke (18.9%), and diabetes (16%). The clinical signs were dominated by a motor deficit (94.1%), speech disorders (67.4%) and consciousness disorders (47%). Ischemic strokes were predominant (65%) over hemorrhagic strokes (34.5%). The outcome was generally unfavorable with 14.6% total recovery, 58.7% recovery with sequelae and a case fatality of 26.7%. Conclusion: It emerges from this study that strokes still remain a real public health problem. Knowledge of populations of risk factors as well as their proper management is fundamental in primary prevention strategies, the only guarantee for a reduction in the still very high morbidity and mortality of this disease.
文摘Objectives: Appreciate the Medical direct cost for cerebrovascular accident on medical recovery at the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital of Lomé. Patients and method: This was a prospective and cross study that took place from 01st October 2015 to 31st July 2016 in the medical recovery Unit of Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital of Lomé. Results: Of the 91 stroke patients surveyed, the average age was 55.1 years;the sex-ratio (Men/women) was 1.3 and only 8.8% of patients had benefited from INAM (National Institute of Health Insurance) granting of benefits. The proportion of ICVA was 73.6% compared to 26.4% for the MCVA. The average overall cost of granting benefits of a CVA patient was 312,245 FCFA for an average stay of 18.6 days. This cost was 399.115 FCFA in MCVA for an average stay of 19.0 days against 281.130 FCFA in ICVA for an average stay of 16.1 days. Conclusion: CVAs on the one hand inflict losses of national productivity by its handicap, and a heavy economic burden for both patients and their families on the other hand, by its high cost of granting of benefits;Hence there is the need for assistance of all kinds by national and international health actors.
文摘One hundred and sixty cases of sequelae of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) wererandomly divided into three groups: The temporal point group (TG), 58 cases; the scalp acupuncturegroup(SG), 52 cases; the body acupuncture group(BG), 50 cases. It was shown that after 30 treat-ments the curative effects were significantly different (P【0. 01) among the three groups. The effectin TG was better than those in SG and BG. There was no difference in curative effects between SGand BG. It is indicated that all the three needling techniques can improve encephalic blood flow in pa-tients. It seems that the effects of the three needling techniques are as follows: TG】SG】BG.
文摘Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis who later suffer a stroke and to identify associations for this relationship. Background: Prior studies have showed an increased risk of cardiovascular disease among patients with chronic inflammatory disorders, with chronic inflammation leading to atherosclerosis believed to be the culprit. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by diffuse fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Previous studies have suggested a possible link between systemic sclerosis and macrovascular complications such as stroke. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of patients treated within the University of Pennsylvania Health System from October 2015 to April 2019 with a diagnosis of SSc. Using ICD10 codes, we identified a cohort of SSc patients who suffered a stroke. Information regarding demographics and stroke risk factors were gathered from the charts of patients with a diagnosis of both SSc plus stroke and compared to a control group of randomly selected patients with SSc who never suffered a stroke. Continuous variables were conveyed using a mean plus a standard deviation. A two-sample t-test was used to compare the two groups of patients. Qualitative variables were compared using a two-tailed Fisher’s exact test. Results: Based on a large cohort of SSc patients (n = 2080) followed between October 2015 and April 2019, we identified 36 SSc patients who developed a subsequent stroke (1.7% of cohort). When looking at risk factors for stroke in SSc patients, we identified hypertension and atrial fibrillation to be associated with the diagnosis of stroke in such patients. Specifically, 28 of the 36 patients with both SSc and stroke also had a diagnosis of hypertension while in the control group, only 17 of 36 patients had hypertension. Atrial fibrillation was seen in 9 of 36 patients with both SSc and CVA while it was seen in only 2 of 36 patients in the control group. Conclusions: This case control study demonstrated that the presence of hypertension and atrial fibrillation had a statistically significant association with the diagnosis of CVA in patients with SSc.
基金This study was supported by Fundamental Research Funds for the Central University(No.GK202003050,GK202003048)the Innovation Training Program for University Student(No.cx2019013,s201910718084).
文摘Background:Cerebrovascular accident has high morbidity,high disability,and high mortality,possibly causing several serious sequelae and bringing a heavy burden to the patient,the family,and the society.Buyang Huanwu decoction,a classic ancient prescription of traditional Chinese medicine,and acupuncture are often used in combination to treat the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident.In the present study,we systematically evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with Buyang Huanwu decoction in treating the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident.Methods:Relevant randomized controlled trials of acupuncture combined with Buyang Huanwu decoction in treating the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident were comprehensively retrieved from electronic databases from inception to May 8,2020,including PubMed,Embase,The Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,WanFang Data,and China Science and Technology Journal Database.The main outcomes of clinical efficacy,degree of nerve function impairment,daily self-care capacity,Fugl-Meyer locomotor function score,life quality score,and occurrence of adverse reactions were subjected to meta-analysis.Results:The 28 randomized controlled trials included 2,341 patients with the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident.Systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that compared with acupuncture alone,its combined treatment with Buyang Huanwu decoction significantly increased clinical efficacy(RR=1.19,95%CI(1.14,1.23),P<0.001),improved nerve function impairment(WMD=−4.89,95%CI(−8.25,−1.53),P=0.004),promoted daily self-care capacity(WMD=15.87,95%CI(11.22,20.51),P<0.001),strengthened Fugl-Meyer locomotor function(WMD=20.89,95%CI(13.79,27.98),P<0.001),enhanced physical functioning(WMD=16.99,95%CI(6.01,27.96),P<0.001)and mental health(WMD=16.91,95%CI(9.14,24.69),P<0.001)in terms of life quality score(SF-36 scale)of patients with sequelae of cerebrovascular accident,with few adverse reactions.Conclusion:Compared with acupuncture alone,its combination with Buyang Huanwu decoction had better comprehensive effects on sequelae of cerebrovascular accident without obvious adverse reactions.
文摘The purpose of this study was to demonstrate an application of Rasch analysis to identify differences in disability profiles resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and to examine outcome differences between the two groups following post-hospital residential rehabilitation. Participant data were collected from 32 facilities in 16 states. From 2990 neurologically impaired individuals with consecutive admissions from 2011 through 2017, 874 met inclusion criteria: TBI (n = 687) or CVA (n = 187), 18 years or older, minimum length of stay of one month, and maximum chronicity of 1 year. Participants were evaluated at admission and discharge on the Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-Version 4 (MPAI-4). Rasch analysis was performed to establish item reliability, construct validity and item difficulty. A Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (RM MANCOVA) determined group differences and improvement from admission and discharge. Rasch Analysis demonstrated satisfactory construct validity and internal consistency (Person reliability > 0.90, Item reliability > 0.98 for admission and discharge MPAI-4s). Both groups showed significant improvement on the MPAI-4 (p 0.0005). The TBI group was more impaired on the adjustment scale at both admission and discharge (p 0.001). Rasch analysis identified two distinct impairment patterns. CVA participants exhibited deficits characteristic of focal impairment while the TBI group presented with deficits reflective of diffuse impairment. Rehabilitation was shown to be beneficial in reducing disability following neurologic injury in both groups. Importantly, Rasch Analysis accurately produced unique disability profiles that differentiated the treatment groups. This unique statistical technique offers a promising prescriptive hierarchical model for guiding neurological rehabilitation treatment.
文摘Aspirin is widely used for primary or secondary prevention of ischemic events.At the same time,chronic aspirin consumption can affect blood clot formation during surgical intervention and increase intraoperative blood loss.This is especially important for high-risk surgery,including neurosurgery.Current European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend aspirin interruption for at least 7 d before neurosurgical intervention,but this suggestion is not supported by clinical evidence.This narrative review presents evidence that challenges the necessity for aspirin interruption in neurosurgical patients,describes options for aspirin effect monitoring and the clinical implication of these methods,and summarizes current clinical data on bleeding risk associated with chronic aspirin therapy in neurosurgical patients,including brain tumor surgery,cerebrovascular procedures,and spinal surgery.
文摘BACKGROUND Patients with stroke frequently experience pulmonary dysfunction.AIM To explore the effects of information-motivation-behavioral(IMB)skills modelbased nursing care on pulmonary function,blood gas indices,complication rates,and quality of life(QoL)in stroke patients with pulmonary dysfunction.METHODS We conducted a controlled study involving 120 stroke patients with pulmonary dysfunction.The control group received routine care,whereas the intervention group received IMB-model-based nursing care.Various parameters including pulmonary function,blood gas indices,complication rates,and QoL were assessed before and after the intervention.RESULTS Baseline data of the control and intervention groups were comparable.Post-intervention,the IMB model-based care group showed significant improvements in pulmonary function indicators,forced expiratory volume in 1 sec,forced vital capacity,and peak expiratory flow compared with the control group.Blood gas indices,such as arterial oxygen pressure and arterial oxygen saturation,increased significantly,and arterial carbon dioxide partial.pressure decreased significantly in the IMB model-based care group compared with the control group.The intervention group also had a lower complication rate(6.67%vs 23.33%)and higher QoL scores across all domains than the control group.CONCLUSION IMB model-based nursing care significantly enhanced pulmonary function,improved blood gas indices,reduced complication rates,and improved the QoL of stroke patients with pulmonary dysfunction.Further research is needed to validate these results and to assess the long-term efficacy and broader applicability of the model.
文摘The distention of the colon without mechanical or anatomical obstruction, Acute Colonic Pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), is a common condition occurring in the critically ill. ACPO in the setting of an acute pulmonary embolism and embolic stroke is a rarity. A 76-year-old female with shortness of breath, left hemiparesis and right-sided paresthesias presented with acute pulmonary embolism and acute infarcts of the left caudate nucleus, thalamus and occipital lobe. Her hospitalization was complicated with persistent distention of the large bowel without dilation of the small bowel. Empiric antibiotics were initiated without improvement and laboratory studies including Clostridium difficile were negative. She underwent nasogastric decompression and two decompressive colonoscopies with a resolution of her symptoms. This case illustrates an example of acute abdominal distension, without underlying etiology, in the setting of acute embolism of the pulmonary and cerebral vasculature. Early identification and action with decompressive colonoscopy were key to preventing further bowel damage or rupture.