Gao L, Lu P, Liu QL, Li ZL, Zhao PG, Zhou QY, Liu J, Feng YS, Li Z. Splenic infarction associated with persistent atrial fibrillation: A case report. World J Cardiol 2026; 18(10): 126812 [DOI: 10.4330/wjc.126812]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Zhen Li, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Emergency, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, No. 725 Jiangzhou Avenue, Dingshan Subdistrict, Jiangjin District, Chongqing 402260, China. 271487980@qq.com
Research Domain of This Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
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case-report
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Gao L, Lu P, Liu QL, Li ZL, Zhao PG, Zhou QY, Liu J, Feng YS, Li Z. Splenic infarction associated with persistent atrial fibrillation: A case report. World J Cardiol 2026; 18(10): 126812 [DOI: 10.4330/wjc.126812]
World J Cardiol. Oct 26, 2026; 18(10): 126812 Published online Oct 26, 2026. doi: 10.4330/wjc.126812
Splenic infarction associated with persistent atrial fibrillation: A case report
Lian Gao, Peng Lu, Qiang-Long Liu, Zhi-Lin Li, Pan-Gui Zhao, Qi-Yun Zhou, Jie Liu, Yin-Shan Feng, Zhen Li
Lian Gao, Peng Lu, Qiang-Long Liu, Zhi-Lin Li, Pan-Gui Zhao, Qi-Yun Zhou, Jie Liu, Yin-Shan Feng, Zhen Li, Department of Emergency, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing 402260, China
Zhen Li, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Co-first authors: Lian Gao and Peng Lu.
Author contributions: Gao L and Lu P contributed equally to this work; Gao L collected the data and wrote the original draft; Lu P designed the study and analyzed the data; Li ZL, Zhao PG, Zhou QY, Liu J, and Feng YS performed the literature search and revised the manuscript; Li Z supervised the entire study and is the corresponding author; and all authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: Portions of this manuscript were edited by DeepSeek solely for language refinement. The authors carefully reviewed and verified all AI-assisted outputs and take full responsibility for the scientific content of the manuscript.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Corresponding author: Zhen Li, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Emergency, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, No. 725 Jiangzhou Avenue, Dingshan Subdistrict, Jiangjin District, Chongqing 402260, China. 271487980@qq.com
Received: August 17, 2026 Revised: September 16, 2026 Accepted: October 16, 2026 Published online: October 26, 2026 Processing time: 69 Days and 10.6 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Splenic infarction is an uncommon thromboembolic condition associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) but with nonspecific abdominal manifestations, leading to diagnostic challenges.
CASE SUMMARY
A 56-year-old male with persistent AF and inadequate anticoagulation management presented with acute left upper quadrant pain without cardiac symptoms. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed and revealed a characteristic wedge-shaped splenic infarction. Following therapeutic anticoagulation, the patient's symptoms rapidly resolved.
CONCLUSION
Acute left upper quadrant pain in patients with AF should raise a clinical suspicion of splenic infarction. The early initiation of therapeutic anticoagulation when cardioembolic etiology is suspected and contraindications are absent may contribute to a favorable outcome and reduce the risk of recurrent embolic events.
Core Tip: In patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and inadequate anticoagulation, splenic infarction should be considered when acute left upper quadrant pain occurs. A normal initial non-contrast computed tomography (CT) does not exclude splenic infarction, and contrast-enhanced CT is essential for diagnosis. Timely therapeutic anticoagulation and long-term guideline-directed anticoagulation management may be considered.
