Floating thrombus in the thoracic aorta: what should be done?
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.
Rocco
Domenico
D
Division of Cardiac Surgery, Vito Fazzi Hospital, Lecce, Italy. dorocco@tin.it
Scardia
Maurizio
M
Cazzato
Marcella
M
Floris
Gian Paolo
GP
Legittimo
Antonio
A
Scotto di Quacquaro
Antonio
A
Zaccaria
Salvatore
S
Villani
Massimo
M
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*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin