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06:29
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
[Recurrent systemic embolism: look for a thrombus in... the thoracic aorta]
J Prothet1, B Floccard, A Levrat
1Département d'anesthésie-réanimation, pavillon G, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, hospices civils de Lyon, 5, place d'Arsonval, 69437 Lyon cedex 03, France.
Annales Francaises D'Anesthesie Et De Reanimation
|August 30, 2008
Summary
Floating thrombus in the thoracic aorta is rare but can cause serious emboli. Surgical management of this aortic thrombus led to a favorable outcome in a recent case.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Mural thrombus in the thoracic aorta is an uncommon condition with poorly understood etiopathogenesis.
- It poses a significant risk for systemic embolic events, leading to serious complications.
- Diagnostic approaches have advanced, increasing detection rates.
Observation:
- A case of a mobile thrombus within the thoracic aorta was identified using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) angiography.
- The patient experienced two major embolic events in close succession, directly attributed to this aortic thrombus.
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is often employed following embolic events to aid diagnosis.
Findings:
- Contrast-enhanced CT angiography is effective in diagnosing thoracic aortic mural thrombus.
- Surgical intervention was chosen for management due to the high embolic risk.
- The patient's outcome following surgical removal of the thrombus was positive.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering thoracic aortic mural thrombus in patients with embolic events.
- Surgical management can be a viable and effective option for symptomatic aortic thrombi.
- Further research into the etiopathogenesis of thoracic aortic mural thrombus is warranted to improve understanding and treatment strategies.
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