title: Floating thrombus in the thoracic aorta: what should be done?
abstract: Floating thrombus in a non-aneurysmal and non-atherosclerotic thoracic aorta is a rare event with potentially catastrophic complications. Especially younger patients have a higher risk of embolization. Transesophageal echocardiography is the diagnostic method of choice. However, the treatment of this pathology is still controversial and includes both medical and surgical options. We report our experience with a 43-year-old patient and a review of the literature, and make a proposal for therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, Vito Fazzi Hospital, Lecce, Italy. dorocco@tin.it
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rocco
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scardia
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzato
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Floris
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Legittimo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scotto di Quacquaro
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaccaria
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin