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Sinus of Valsalva thrombosis causing peripheral embolism
Fuat Gündoğdu1, Eftal Murat Bakırcı, Hüsnü Değirmenci
1Department of Cardiology, Medicine Faculty of Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Summary
A rare cause of peripheral arterial emboli, a non-aneurysmal thrombus in the sinus of Valsalva, was successfully treated with anticoagulation. The thrombus resolved, preventing further embolic events.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Peripheral arterial emboli are a significant cause of limb ischemia.
- Thrombus formation in the sinus of Valsalva is a rare etiology for systemic embolization.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old woman presented with peripheral arterial emboli, specifically popliteal artery occlusion.
- Echocardiography revealed a mobile thrombus in the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva without an associated aneurysm.
Findings:
- The popliteal artery occlusion was successfully treated with Fogarty arterial embolectomy.
- Anticoagulation with warfarin led to the complete resolution of the sinus of Valsalva thrombus.
- No recurrent systemic embolization occurred during follow-up.
Implications:
- This case highlights the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva as a potential, albeit rare, source of peripheral arterial emboli.
- Conservative management with anticoagulation can be effective in resolving such thrombi and preventing further embolic complications.
- Further investigation into the pathogenesis of non-aneurysmal thrombi in the sinus of Valsalva may be warranted.
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