Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Yap J, Bell D, Aortic free floating thrombus. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 27 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-149099
Aortic floating thrombus (AFT) is a rare form of aortic thrombosis characterized by the presence of thrombus protruding into the aortic lumen which may or may not be connected to the wall by a stalk.
Etiology
Aortic free floating thrombus may develop in those without pre-existing disease although it is considered rare to do so, especially in the absence of coagulopathy.
Reported causes include:
CT
CT angiography may be able to accurately show morphology of aortic free floating thrombus. Some studies suggest 2.
- narrow base of attachment at CT scan being more frequent in symptomatic patients
- non-calcified insertion site at CT scan being more frequent in symptomatic patients
Treatment and prognosis
Management strategies for aortic free floating thrombus tends to vary with anatomical location as well as on morphological features of the thrombus. Usually a surgical thrombectomy or thrombolysis is considered.
Complications
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- 6. Goedemé J, Berzenji L, Nicolay S, Hendriks J. Conservative Treatment of a Floating Mural Thrombus in the Descending Aorta. Aorta (Stamford). 2021;09(01):038-40. doi:10.1055/s-0041-1736370 - Pubmed
- 7. Hirata R, Tago M, Nakashima T, Hirakawa Y. A Floating Mural Thrombus in the Ascending Aorta Can Cause Multiorgan Infarction. BMJ Case Rep. 2022;15(11):e250147. doi:10.1136/bcr-2022-250147 - Pubmed
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