Protruding aortic arch thrombus: Treatment with minimally invasive surgical approach

A Devastating Floating Aortic Thrombus and Ketosis-Prone Diabetes

This article reports a case study of a middle-aged patient diagnosed with Ketosis-Prone Diabetes (KPD) and diabetic ketoacidosis who had a mobile thrombus in the distal aortic arch with catastrophic complications from thrombus embolization. The pathogenesis of the mobile aortic thrombus is currently under investigation, with many risk factors having been found. Based on the patient's limited manifestation of atherosclerosis and the absence of any indications of thrombophilia, KPD and inflammation from uncontrolled hyperglycemia likely played a significant role in the formation of the thrombus. KPD is a subtype of diabetes characterized by the abrupt onset of severe hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. The inflammation caused by uncontrolled hyperglycemia in KPD patients can lead to endothelial dysfunction and the activation of prothrombotic pathways. There is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal approach for managing a mobile aortic thrombus. The main strategies under consideration are conservative care, including anticoagulation alone, invasive removal of the thrombus, or endovascular intervention.

Transesophageal Echocardiography–Guided Aortic Thrombectomy in a Patient With a Mobile Thoracic Aortic Thrombus

Thoracic aortic thrombi are a well-known cause of distal embolic phenomena. There is a paucity of case reports because of the rarity of this condition, and thus clear management guidelines are lacking. The authors present a case of a mobile thoracic aortic thrombus managed by a surgical approach. This report demonstrates how intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) proved to be critical in guiding surgical management. The utility of TEE in the diagnosis and management of aortic thrombi is also discussed. In addition, currently reported management strategies for this complex condition are reviewed.

Endovascular Therapy for Symptomatic Mobile Thrombus of Infrarenal Abdominal Aorta

Mobile thrombus is a rare cause of distal arterial embolization. We report 2 cases of mobile thrombus of the abdominal aorta leading to distal embolization. Both patients were successfully treated with endovascular exclusion of the thrombus and distal embolectomy. Endovascular exclusion of a mobile thrombus of the abdominal aorta is a significantly less invasive alternative to open abdominal aorta thrombectomy.

Mobile Thrombus of the Thoracic Aorta: Management and Treatment Review

Detection of mobile thrombus of the thoracic aorta has become increasingly higher after any embolic event. Although the indication for treatment remains controversial, there is a growing interest about the ethiopathogenesis of this rare entity, and to define proper diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The purpose of this article was to review the current management strategies and follow-up results of this rare pathology.

Do stroke patients with normal carotid arteries require TEE for exclusion of relevant aortic plaques?

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated (a) the hypothesis that stroke patients with aortic atheroma would show comparable atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries, which are easily accessible for ultrasound evaluation and (b) the possibility of carotid duplex sonography as a replacement for transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the exclusion or prediction of relevant aortic plaques.

METHODS

In 301 consecutive patients (mean age 62 years) with acute cerebral ischaemia, two dimensional ultrasound measurements were taken of common carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) and maximal plaque area (PA) and the local degree of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis were determined. Maximal aortic wall thickness (AWT) was assessed by TEE.

RESULTS

An IMT < or =0.9 mm yielded a negative predictive value (NPV) of 95.8% for exclusion of aortic atheromas > or =4 mm and an NPV of 100% for the exclusion of aortic thrombi. However, positive predictive value of IMT >0.9 mm was low (29.6%), increasing only slightly in the presence of carotid plaques (33%). Incidence of aortic thrombi was significantly higher with > or =50% compared with <50% ICA stenosis (11.3% v 3.9%, respectively). IMT and PA correlated moderately with AWT (r = 0.47, r = 0.53, respectively; p<0.001). Systolic blood pressure, coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease, increased IMT, and ICA stenosis > or =50% were independently related to AWT > or =4 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

A high NPV of normal carotid ultrasound does not support routine TEE for the exclusion of complex aortic plaques as a high risk source of cerebral embolism. However, in patients with carotid atherosclerosis, particularly in those with ICA stenosis > or =50%, TEE should be performed to exclude an additional high risk source for stroke.

Endovascular stent graft for symptomatic mobile thrombus of the thoracic aorta

Mobile thoracic aortic thrombus is a potential source of arterial embolism. Therapeutic management remains controversial. Systemic anticoagulation and various open surgical procedures are the commonly used therapeutic modalities. We report the successful primary treatment by endovascular stent graft of a mobile thoracic aortic thrombus that had caused visceral and peripheral embolism. Our case shows that endovascular stent-graft treatment is an effective, minimally invasive treatment of symptomatic mobile thoracic aortic thrombus.