Trombo en la aorta torácica como causa de embolismo periférico

Introduction. Embolisms that have their origin in apparently healthy aortas are an extremely rare cause of ischaemia of the lower limbs. We report the case of a pedunculated thrombus that had formed over a normal descending thoracic aorta, which causedperipheral embolisms that gave rise to acute ischaemia in both lower limbs. Case report. A 46-year-old female with a 6-month history of pain and coldness in both lower limbs. Following the clinical examination, a tomography angiography scan was performed, which revealed the presence of bilateral iliac thrombosis with the existence of thrombi in the region of the juxtadiaphragmatic aorta. Due to the ischaemia that was observed, the decision was taken to perform an emergency operation involving embolectomy in both lower limbs and with the placement of a stent in the thoracic aorta. Conclusion. Thrombi floating in the thoracic aorta represent an extremely rare pathology. Here we report a case that was treated satisfactorily by placement of a stent, which shows that endovascular surgery can be a minimally invasive and totally effective approach in the treatment of this pathology. [ANGIOLOGÍA 2008; 60: 211-5]