Table of Contents
Washington University Experience | VASCULAR | Atherosclerosis | 10 Atherosclerosis, basilar (Case 10)
Case 10 History ---- This patient was a 91 year old man with a past history of "heart problems" which required a pacemaker insertion, emphysema (although he had quit cigarette smoking 50 years previously), and diminished hearing. He was described by the nursing home staff as "debilitated" and, despite nasal O2, was "cyanotic and wheezing" with congestive heart failure. He required total care in this debilitated state. He was found dead in his bed. ---- At autopsy he received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. ---- Although he had no brainstem parenchymal pathology the basilar artery showed marked atherosclerotic involvement resulting in approximately 10% patency.
