Mobile XXXX of the thoracic aorta: diagnosis and treatment in 9 cases.

@entity1 @entity887 @entity1167 @entity1856 @entity715
Detection of mobile @entity715 of the thoracic aorta has become increasingly common thanks to routine exploration using transesophageal echography (TEE) after any embolic event. Although the indication for treatment remains controversial, there is a growing interest in understanding this potential source of arterial emboli and in defining proper diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of different diagnostic and therapeutic modalities used in our department over the last 6 years. Between 1995 and 2000, mobile @entity715 of the thoracic aorta was diagnosed in 9 @entity1 (5 @entity1 , 4 @entity1 ) with a mean age of 49.2 years (range, 28 to 68 years). In all @entity1 , aortic @entity715 was suspected after a peripheral (n = 4) or cerebral (n = 5) vascular event. Treatment using intravenous heparin was attempted in all @entity1 and allowed complete dissolution of @entity715 in four. In the remaining five @entity1 , repeat TEE demonstrated persistent @entity715 and operative treatment was undertaken. In three @entity1 with @entity715 in the aortic arch, thrombectomy was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass, and deep hypothermic @entity1167 . In two @entity1 presenting @entity715 in the descending thoracic aorta, thrombectomy was performed with an atriofemoral shunt. Thrombectomy was associated with repair of a wall defect in two @entity1 and resection of @entity1856 in one @entity1 . Postoperative recovery was uneventful but recurrence was noted in one patient because anticoagulation therapy was stopped too soon. On the basis of our experience and previous reports, we have defined the following therapeutic strategy. All @entity1 are first treated with heparin. In case of failure, thrombectomy may be undertaken in young @entity1 . Because of the highly invasive nature of the procedure, careful work-up including TEE should be performed to rule out any other cause of @entity887 and to determine that the lesion presents a high potential for @entity887 . Follow-up must include long-term coumadin therapy and routine surveillance using TEE or magnetic resonance imaging, since long-term outcome is unclear.
