Huge thrombus in the ascending aorta: a case report and literature review

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2019 Sep 4;14(1):157. doi: 10.1186/s13019-019-0975-y.

Abstract

Background: A floating thrombus in the ascending aorta is occasionally found in clinical practice. The treatment for such lesions is poorly defined and mainly depends on the clinical experience of the surgeons.

Case presentation: We herein report a case involving a 22- × 22- × 45-mm space-occupying lesion in the ascending aorta. The patient was successfully treated with surgical intervention. Thrombectomy and ascending aorta replacement were performed to prevent systemic embolization. Histopathological examination revealed that the lesion was a thrombus.

Conclusions: Aortic computed tomography angiography is a useful examination technique for patients with aortic thrombi. Resection of the thrombus can effectively reduce the risk of recurrent embolism.

Keywords: Ascending aorta; Computed tomography angiography; Floating thrombus; Transthoracic echocardiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aorta*
  • Aortic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Aortic Diseases / surgery
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Thrombectomy / methods*
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis*
  • Thrombosis / surgery