Acute thrombo-embolic occlusions of the aorta and major arteries complicating arteriosclerotic heart disease (report of four cases)

The patho-physiology of mural thrombi and resulting peripheral systemic thrombo-embolic occlusions is presented. Four cases are discussed to demonstrate that embolectomy, carried out as early as possible, is probably the procedure of choice. All cases occurred in patients with serious cardiac or cardio-renal conditions. All patients were geriatric the oldest being 94 years old. The fact that they have lived this long probably indicate above-average constitutions, and age per se should not deter the properly trained and equipped surgeon from performing these life- or limb-saving procedures. (Summary)