Key result
Surgical removal under hypothermic cardiocirculatory arrest successfully eliminated a floating thrombus in the aortic arch in a 46-year-old man with recurrent arterial embolism.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights the rare finding of a floating thrombus in the aortic arch as a source of recurrent arterial embolism and demonstrates successful surgical removal under hypothermic cardiocirculatory arrest.
Surgical thrombectomy may be feasible in select refractory cases; leaves open optimal management strategy pending comparative data.
A 46-year-old fully active, asymptomatic man suffered two episodes of major peripheral arterial embolism within 2 months. Heart disease was ruled out by appropriate investigations. Further diagnostic evaluation (angiography, CAT scan) revealed the extremely rare finding of a "floating mass" in the transverse aortic arch suspected to be the source of embolization. This mass was successfully removed using the technique of hypothermic cardiocirculatory arrest. The histological diagnosis was an aged intraluminal thrombus and moderate atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta. For prevention of recurrent arterial embolism in cases without an initially apparent cause and site of origin, a thorough diagnostic, and in a given patient, an aggressive surgical approach for the elimination of the embolic source are advocated.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sadony et al. (1988) conducted a case report in Recurrent arterial embolism (n=1). Surgical removal under hypothermic cardiocirculatory arrest was evaluated on Successful removal of the mass. Surgical removal under hypothermic cardiocirculatory arrest successfully eliminated a floating thrombus in the aortic arch in a 46-year-old man with recurrent arterial embolism.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: