Acute Myocardial Infarction, Pulmonary Embolism, and a Suspicious Aortic Mass: A Case of Complex Differential Diagnosis and Management
Abstract
Introduction
Ascending aorta floating thrombus is a rare entity. Without rapid and specific management this condition has potential catastrophic consequences.
Case presentation
We report the case of a young woman diagnosed with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and pulmonary embolism (PE) which revealed the existence of a suspicious aortic mass with a high embolic risk. The definite treatment was surgical resection, and the etiology of the mass was confirmed by histopathological examination. In this case, protein C deficiency was the only significant factor predisposing to thrombus formation.
Conclusions
This case illustrates the importance of performing a rapid and comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation, even when the initial presentation seems to suggest a clear diagnosis. Ascending aortic floating thrombus requires individualized management, and in specific situations a surgical approach is recommended.
© 2023 Mihai Teodor Bica, Claudia Irina Nitu, Andrei Iosifescu, Carmen Cristiana Beladan, Bogdan A. Popescu, published by Romanian Society of Cardiology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.