Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks Associated With Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis

The case histories are given of 12 patients who had transient cerebral attacks in association with subacute bacterial endocarditis. The attacks are similar to those that accompany atherosclerotic occlusive cerebrovascular disease. All patients had manifestations of general illness, particularly fever, malaise, and elevated sedimentation rate. Subsequently, cerebral infarcts occurred in three patients and cerebral hemorrhages in four patients. A definite relationship between anticoagulant therapy and hemorrhage could not be established.