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COVID-19-related Floating Thrombus in the Ascending Aorta - A Case Report
Roxana Carmen Geana1, Reza Nayyerani1, Razvan Petru Dragulescu1
1Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases "Prof. Dr. C. C. Iliescu", Bucharest, Romania.
Insights
Ascending aortic thrombosis is rare. This case report details the successful surgical removal of large aortic thrombi in a 61-year-old patient, restoring blood flow.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Vascular Medicine
- Aortic Pathology
Background:
- Multiple aortic mural thrombi in the ascending aorta are exceptionally rare, with limited case reports.
- Ascending aortic thrombosis presents a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old male with a history of COVID-19 presented with acute upper limb ischemia.
- Imaging revealed free-floating masses in the ascending aorta, consistent with large thrombi.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention via aortotomy successfully removed two large floating thrombi (5.6x1.5 cm and 3x1.5 cm).
- The patient experienced favorable postoperative outcomes with complete resolution of ischemia.
Implications:
- Immediate surgical desobstruction and reconstruction can be a life-saving intervention for ascending aortic thrombosis.
- This case highlights the importance of considering aortic thrombosis in patients with unexplained limb ischemia and cardiovascular events.
- Successful surgical management can restore aortic lumen patency and supra-aortic vessel circulation.
Background/Aim:
Multiple aortic mural thrombi at the level of the ascending aorta represent a rare condition, only isolated cases have been reported so far. The aim of the current article was to report the case of a 61-year-old patient diagnosed with this pathology.
Case Report:
A 61-year-old patient with history of COVID infection six months previously was initially diagnosed with acute upper right limb ischemia and submitted to Fogarty desobstruction. Furthermore, the patient was diagnosed with a free-floating mass in the ascending aorta, for which he was submitted to aortotomy and floating thrombi, measuring 5.6×1.5 cm and 3×1.5 cm, were completely removed. The postoperative outcomes were favorable; at the three month follow up the patient proved to have a perfect circulated aortic lumen and supra-aortic vessels.
Conclusion:
immediate aortic desobstruction followed by reconstruction might be a lifesaving maneuver in ascending aortic thrombosis.
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