title: Thrombus of the ascending aorta: a rare cause of myocardial infarction.
abstract: We present two cases of a thrombus in the ascending aorta causing an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and review the 10 other cases previously reported in the literature. This life-threatening condition appears to be more common in female smokers in their fifth decade. Suspicion should be raised in individuals at low risk for atherosclerotic disease with coronary angiographic findings not in keeping with the clinical presentation. The diagnosis may be obtained by transesophageal echocardiography, and we generally recommend surgical thrombectomy.
authors: Division of Anatomical Pathology, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1Y 4E9. awolfsohn@ottawahospital.on.ca
authors: Allan L
authors: AL
authors: Wolfsohn
authors: Derek Y F
authors: DY
authors: So
authors: Kwan
authors: K
authors: Chan
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Burwash
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Hendry
authors: John P
authors: JP
authors: Veinot
authors: Marino
authors: M
authors: Labinaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D017131:Thrombectomy; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy