Asymptomatic aortic mural thrombus in a minimally atherosclerotic vessel

Abstract

Aortic mural thrombi in a normal (non-aneurysmal or minimally atherosclerotic) vessel are an uncommon condition. They are usually located in the descending aorta and, less frequently, in the aortic arch or in the abdominal aorta. The typical clinical presentation is the appearance of symptoms/signs of peripheral arterial embolization, such as lower limb or visceral ischaemia, but these can also be accidentally found in asymptomatic patients. We report the case of a 40-year old man with untreated hypertension and dyslipidaemia admitted to hospital for atypical chest pain associated with an elevation in high-sensitivity troponin T with normal creatine kinase isoenzime MB creatine kinase isoenzyme. Elektrocardiogram (EKG) and transthoracic echocardiography were non-diagnostic; in order to exclude an aortic dissection, a gated chest computed tomography was performed and showed an aortic thrombus on a minimally atherosclerotic wall. Then, a transoesophageal echocardiography confirmed an aortic floating thrombus (7 × 4 mm). Cardiac surgeons advised against surgery and therapy with antiplatelet, low molecular weight heparin, β-blocker, antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs was initiated. A complete resolution of the thrombus was observed at the 12-day tomographic control.

Keywords: Aortic thrombus; Thoracic aorta; Transoesophageal echocardiography.

Figure 1:

Aortic thrombus on a minimally atherosclerotic wall on transoesophageal echocardiography; longitudinal view (A) and transversal view (B). The same finding on chest computer tomography: coronal view (C) and sagittal view (D). Panels E and F show the resolution of thrombus on chest computed tomography on coronal and sagittal views, respectively.