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Functional aortic coarctation caused by thrombosis within a thoracic aortic aneurysm
C S Lawson1, P J Keeling, L D Smith
1Department of Cardiology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery
|March 1, 1992
Summary
A leaking thoracic aortic aneurysm caused functional coarctation in a male arteriopath, presenting with chest pain and leg pulse loss. Surgical confirmation validated these findings.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Arteriopathy can manifest with complex cardiovascular symptoms.
- Thoracic aortic aneurysms require accurate diagnosis and management.
- Functional coarctation is a rare complication of aortic pathology.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old male arteriopath presented with chest pain, a new systolic murmur, and diminished leg pulses.
- Echocardiography and right heart catheterization ruled out mitral regurgitation and ventricular septal defect.
- Computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed a leaking descending thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Findings:
- The aneurysm caused proximal lumen stenosis due to atheroma and thrombus.
- This stenosis resulted in a functional coarctation of the aorta.
- Surgical exploration confirmed the CT findings and the nature of the aortic pathology.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of advanced imaging in diagnosing complex aortic pathologies.
- Understanding functional coarctation secondary to aneurysms is crucial for surgical planning.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are vital for managing such life-threatening conditions.