Floating, Non-Occlusive, Mobile Aortic Thrombus and Splenic Infarction Associated With Protein C Deficiency

A Case of Floating Aortic Arch Thrombosis in a Patient without Thrombophilia

Floating aortic arch thrombi-blood clots forming in an aorta without aneurysms or atherosclerosis-in a normal aorta are exceedingly rare. The etiology is unknown, and there are no guidelines for appropriate treatment strategies. We report a case of floating aortic arch thrombosis in a patient without coagulopathy that was treated surgically. As the mass could not be identified preoperatively as a tumor or thrombus, synthetic graft replacement was performed, allowing resection of the lesion site. Histopathological examination revealed erosion and fissures in the tunica intima of the aorta, which suggested vessel damage to the tunica intima as the cause.

A rare case of spontaneous abdominal aorta thrombosis

Spontaneous aortic thrombosis is rare, and prompt diagnosis is needed whenever encountering a case of unexplained abdominal pain. The cause of the thrombosis needs to be evaluated thoroughly to rule out any underlying thrombophilias.

Conservative Treatment of a Floating Mural Thrombus in the Descending Aorta

A 70-year-old woman was referred to the department of thoracic and vascular surgery after a floating mural thrombus was found in the distal aortic arch with extension into the proximal descending aorta. Imaging and clinical examination did not show signs of embolization and treatment with aspirin and low-molecular weight heparin was started. Follow-up after 2 weeks and 6 months showed a complete resolution of the aortic mural thrombus.

Aortic Mural Thrombus Associated with Congenital Protein C Deficiency in an Elderly Patient

Thrombophilia increases the risk of venous thrombosis, but is rarely responsible for aortic thrombosis. Aortic mural thrombus (AMT) may be associated with a protein C deficiency. However, it is necessary to determine whether the protein C deficiency is congenital/hereditary or secondary/acquired (consumption of protein C during the process of thrombus formation). This study describes a 77-year-old Japanese woman with incidentally diagnosed AMT, who had a protein C deficiency (activity 54%, antigen 42%). Sequencing of the protein C gene revealed a heterozygous mutation of c.1268delG, p.Gly423Valfs*82 in exon 9, indicating a congenital protein C deficiency. These findings indicate that very late onset AMT can occur in an adult with congenital protein C deficiency.

Aortic Arch Floating Thrombus Complicated by Distal Embolization in a Patient with Malignancy

Free floating thrombus of aortic arch in a minimally atherosclerotic or nonaneurysmal aorta is a rare disease entity which carries a potential risk of distal embolization with catastrophic consequences. We present the case of a 52-years-old patient with ovarian cancer and aortic arch floating thrombus who initially managed with low molecular weight heparin and eventually undergone surgical thrombectomy of left external iliac and common femoral artery due to acute ischemia of left lower leg.

Thoracoabdominal aortic mural and floating thrombus extending into superior mesenteric artery

Thrombus in the thoracic aorta not related to aneurysm or atherosclerosis is a rare clinical entity with a limited number of cases reported. Floating thrombus is defined as non-adherent part of the thrombus floating within the aortic lumen. Herein, we present a 48-year-old woman who presented with progressive midline dull, aching abdominal pain of 2-day duration. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography revealed a free floating thrombus extending from the aortic arch into the superior mesenteric artery. Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the findings of a thrombus extending through the aortic arch. Floating thrombus within the aortic lumen in a morphologically normal descending thoracic and abdominal aorta is a rare entity.

Spontaneous Aortic Arch Thrombus Presenting as Acute Critical Limb Ischemia

We report a case of a 52-year-old male who presented with acute leg ischemia and underwent successful femoral embolectomy and fasciotomies. Investigations revealed a pedunculated mass in the aortic arch, floating under the innominate and left common carotid arteries. Urgent resection was performed through a longitudinal aortotomy with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and axillary artery perfusion to reveal a 2.5 × 1.5 cm pedunculated mass attached to the posterior aspect of the arch that was resected. Histology revealed thrombus material prompting lifelong systemic anticoagulation. On 3 months follow-up, the patient had returned to normal activities and computed tomography confirmed complete resection without recurrence. This case study demonstrates that spontaneous thrombus formation is possible in high-flow vascular regions such as the aortic arch and also confirms the importance of evaluating central sources of thromboemboli in patients presenting with acute limb ischemia. Urgent surgical removal is recommended and can be performed safely.