Transesophageal echocardiographic findings in blue toe syndrome exacerbated by anticoagulation

H J Willens1, H J Kramer, K M Kessler

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Miami, School of Medicine, FL, USA.

The role of anticoagulation in the blue toe syndrome is unresolved. We describe the sonographic appearance of atherosclerotic plaques in the thoracic aorta imaged by transesophageal echocardiography in 2 patients with blue toe syndrome who had reembolization while taking therapeutic levels of anticoagulants. The findings of complex atheromas associated with mobile highly echodense linear structures by transesophageal echocardiography may be predictive of reembolization in patients with blue toe syndrome who are taking anticoagulants.

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