Cerebral Embolic Infarction Caused by Aortic Arch Thrombus with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Atherosclerotic lesions at the aortic arch are recognized as critical sources of embolic strokes. However, there have been few case reports of aortic arch thrombus occurring without atherosclerotic changes, especially those related to iron deficiency anemia (IDA). A 44-year-old woman was admitted due to rapid-onset right hemiparesis and aphasia. Etiological investigations for cerebral infarction revealed no abnormality other than IDA. This is a rare case of cerebral embolic infarction caused by an aortic arch thrombus with IDA in a middle-aged woman.

Successful Surgical Treatment of Trombus in the Aortic Arch / 대한내과학회지

Thrombi within the aortic arch are rare, and are generally detected after cerebral, visceral, or peripheral embolization. Although the indications for treatment remain controversial, there is increasing interest in the etiopathogenesis of this rare clinical entity and the development of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We report a case in which a thrombus was detected in the proximal aortic arch on echocardiography and computed tomography angiography as the origin of upperextremity ischemia. This pedunculated thrombus was attached to the atherosclerotic aortic wall and was removed surgically.

Successful Surgical Treatment of Trombus in the Aortic Arch / 대한내과학회지

Thrombi within the aortic arch are rare, and are generally detected after cerebral, visceral, or peripheral embolization. Although the indications for treatment remain controversial, there is increasing interest in the etiopathogenesis of this rare clinical entity and the development of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We report a case in which a thrombus was detected in the proximal aortic arch on echocardiography and computed tomography angiography as the origin of upperextremity ischemia. This pedunculated thrombus was attached to the atherosclerotic aortic wall and was removed surgically.