Two cases of acute ischemic stroke associated with iron deficiency anemia due to bleeding from uterine fibroids in middle-aged women.

Abstract

We herein report two cases of acute ischemic stroke associated with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) due to bleeding from uterine fibroids. Anemia is not generally recognized as a risk factor for stroke. The physiological mechanisms that may factor in the development of ischemic stroke in patients with IDA include thrombocytosis, hypercoagulable state, and anemic hypoxia. In our two cases, IDA was considered to be the cause of ischemic stroke because all other known causes of stroke were ruled out. In patients with ischemic stroke due to anemia, early treatment of the anemia is important to prevent stroke recurrence.