Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots
Published on: May 21, 2017
Stent Barrier Technique for Aortic Root Thrombus
Emre Melik Faideci1, Deniz Demir2, Murat Ziyrek3
1Cardiology Clinic, Bilecik Training and Research Hospital, Bilecik, Turkey.
Insights
Aortic root thrombus, a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome, can be managed with a stent barrier technique. This method stabilizes thrombi and prevents embolization, serving as a bridge to surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Aortic root thrombus is an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
- It is often associated with hypercoagulable states or underlying structural cardiac abnormalities.
Abstract:
Aortic root thrombus is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome, often linked to hypercoagulability or structural anomalies. A 58-year-old male presented with chest pain, hypotension, and Killip Class 3 findings. Electrocardiography suggested left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion, and coronary angiography revealed a large thrombus extending from the LMCA into the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Computed tomography identified an organized thrombus in the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva. A drug-eluting stent protruding 8 mm into the aorta was implanted from the LMCA to the LAD as a bridge to surgery. Surgical thrombectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting were performed, and pathology confirmed an organized thrombus. The stent barrier technique stabilizes aortic root thrombi and prevents recurrent embolization in repeated embolic events. It may serve as a bridging strategy in centers with limited surgical facilities.
