Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Optic Nerve Sheath Point of Care Ultrasound: Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2023
Acute aortic occlusion: A point-of-care ultrasound case report
1Shellharbour Hospital Mount Warrigal New South Wales Australia.
Insights
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) rapidly diagnosed acute aortic occlusion (AAO) in a young patient with methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy. Timely POCUS evaluation led to successful reperfusion and a good outcome, highlighting its value in emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Cardiology
Background:
- Acute aortic occlusion (AAO) is a rare vascular emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality.
- Methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy (MACM) can present with critical vascular complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of AAO in a young patient with MACM.
- To highlight the utility of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the rapid diagnosis and management of AAO.
- To review similar cases of AAO diagnosed by POCUS.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 39-year-old male with MACM presenting with bilateral lower limb ischemia.
- Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) performed on arrival to evaluate for AAO.
- Literature review of AAO cases diagnosed by POCUS.
Main Results:
- POCUS revealed a left ventricular thrombus, an aortic embolus, and absent distal flow, consistent with AAO.
- The patient underwent successful reperfusion with a favorable outcome.
- Literature review identified similar cases supporting POCUS utility.
Conclusions:
- POCUS is a valuable tool for expediting the diagnosis of AAO, even in uncommon patient demographics.
- Rapid diagnosis and management facilitated by POCUS can lead to improved patient outcomes in AAO.
- This case underscores the importance of POCUS in managing rare vascular emergencies.
Introduction:
Acute aortic occlusion (AAO) is a rare vascular emergency with significant associated morbidity and mortality.
Methods:
This case report discusses a 39-year-old gentleman with methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy (MACM) who presented with bilateral lower limb ischaemia. A POCUS was performed to rapidly evaluate the patient on arrival, which demonstrated AAO. A literature review was conducted to identify similar cases where AAO was detected by POCUS.
Results:
POCUS showed a left ventricular thrombus (LVT), an embolus in the distal abdominal aorta and no flow distal to the embolus, which is consistent with AAO. The patient was successfully reperfused and had a good outcome after a timely diagnosis and management.
Discussion:
This case report outlines a rare pathology in an uncommon age group where POCUS can expedite diagnosis and management.
Conclusion:
POCUS is a valuable tool, which can expedite and facilitate rapid revascularisation of AAO.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction
01:22Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies