[A retinal embolism subsequent to atheroma in aortic arch].
OBJECTIVE
We studied a patient whose embolic retinal occlusion originated in a free floating thrombus detached from an atheromatous plaque sited in the aortic arch.


CONCLUSIONS
Atheroma in the ascending aorta artery and its arch can be a potential source of emboli in patients suffering of retinal embolism. Atherosclerotic lesions in thoracic aorta may be shedding free floating detachments on to the lumen of the artery with severe risk of peripheral embolism. These lesions can be detected by trans-esophageal echocardiography in thoracic areas of the aorta and may become an option when thrombus sources in cardiac ot carotid artery are not clearly identified.
Barbón García
J J
JJ
Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital San Agustín, Avilés (Asturias), España. jjbarbon@telecable.es
Rodríguez Blanco
V
V
Alvarez Suárez
M L
ML
Fernández Lombardía
M
M
Díez-Lage Sánchez
A
A
D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*