Korean Circ J.  1998 Jan;28(1):103-107. 10.4070/kcj.1998.28.1.103.

Aortic Saddle Embolism Caused by Mitral Valve Vegetation

• Kim JS
• Lee JH
• Cha JH
• Hong ES
• Shin TR
• Lee NY
• Lee HK
• Seo KY
• Cho HK
• Park SH
• Han JY
• Han JJ
• Ann JH

• KMID: 1894756
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.1998.28.1.103

Abstract

Aortic saddle embolus accounts for approximately 10% of all peripheral arterial emboli. The most common sources of emboli are left atrial thrombi associated with atrial fibrillation and vegetation. A 22-year-old male patient was admitted due to acute onset of orthopnea, tachypea and cough. Transthoracic and transeophageal echocardiography showed huge vegetation (3X2cm) of the posterior mitral valve leaflet which was associated with severe mitral regurgitation. On 14th hospital day, he suffered from sudden onset of weakness, pain, and coldness on both lower extremities. Follow-up echocardiography showed marked size reduction of the original mitral valve vegetation. Angiography showed aortic saddle embolus. The embolectomy of aortic saddle embolus was performed through the transfemoral approach with a Forgarty catheter. At the same time, removal of the infected mitral valve and mitral valve replacement were performed.

Keyword

Aortic saddle embolism; Mitral valve vegetation; Echocardiography

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Atrial Fibrillation
Catheters
Cough
Echocardiography
Embolectomy
Embolism*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lower Extremity
Male
Mitral Valve Insufficiency
Mitral Valve*
Young Adult