Related Experiment Videos
Acute thoracic aortic thrombosis after intra-aortic balloon pumping
Constadina Aggeli1, Vassilis I Barberis, Charalambos Vlachopoulos
1First Department of Cardiology, Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Summary
A large aortic thrombus, a complication of intra-aortic balloon pumping, was found in a patient with acute myocardial infarction. This rare finding highlights potential risks associated with cardiac support devices.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) can lead to severe hemodynamic instability.
- Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are a recognized, albeit uncommon, complication of AMI.
- Intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) is used to manage cardiogenic shock and hemodynamic instability.
Observation:
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed a large thrombus adhered to the thoracic aorta.
- The patient presented with abdominal pain and worsening renal function, indicative of thromboembolic events.
- Limb ischemia was notably absent, complicating the initial clinical suspicion.
Findings:
- The aortic thrombus was identified as a complication secondary to IABP insertion.
- The patient's VSD, resulting from myocardial infarction, necessitated the use of IABP.
- Echocardiographic imaging was crucial in diagnosing this rare aortic complication.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for aortic thrombus formation as a complication of IABP.
- Clinicians should consider thromboembolism in patients with unexplained abdominal or renal dysfunction post-IABP.
- TEE is a valuable tool for diagnosing aortic complications related to cardiac interventions.