Celiac trunk occlusion as a severe complication of atrial fibrillation: A case report

Acute occlusion of the celiac trunk is an exceptional cause of mesenteric ischemia. Although atrial fibrillation is one of the main causes of arterial embolism, its presentation as an isolated celiac trunk embolism is extremely rare and associated with a particularly poor prognosis. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman with no prior medical history, admitted with severe abdominal pain evolving over 3 days. On admission, she presented in shock, and electrocardiography revealed previously unknown atrial fibrillation. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis, hyperlactatemia, and signs of multiorgan dysfunction. Abdominal CT angiography demonstrated a thromboembolic occlusion of the celiac trunk with absence of perfusion of the main branches. Emergency thrombectomy was indicated, but the outcome was rapidly fatal with death occurring before surgery. This case highlights the severity of this rare localization of arterial embolism and underlines the importance of early diagnosis and prompt management.