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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
04:56
Modified Octopus Technique for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Published on: August 1, 2025
Treatment of symptomatic mobile aortic thrombus
T Martens1, I Van Herzeele, B Jacobs
1Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Acta Chirurgica Belgica
|August 10, 2010
Summary
Symptomatic aortic thrombi can cause embolisms, but treatment remains controversial. Endovascular repair with statins is emerging as a preferred method, despite limited long-term data.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Mobile thrombi in the thoracic or abdominal aorta pose an embolism risk to organs and limbs.
- Diagnosis of aortic thrombi has increased following embolic events.
- Optimal therapeutic strategies for intraluminal mobile aortic thrombi are debated.
Observation:
- Three patients with peripheral embolization due to mobile aortic thrombi were reviewed.
- Treatment varied: open repair, endovascular stent graft, and medical management.
- A literature search identified case reports on open and endovascular techniques, but no randomized trials.
Findings:
- Treatment decisions depend on thrombus location, patient comorbidities, and physician preference.
- Endovascular treatment, particularly stent grafting, was successful in one case.
- Medical management was chosen for a patient with visceral vessel involvement.
Implications:
- There is no established consensus for treating symptomatic floating aortic thrombi.
- Endovascular therapy combined with high-dose statins is increasingly favored.
- Further research and long-term follow-up are needed for this rare condition.
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