Vasc Spec Int.  2016 Dec;32(4):186-189. 10.5758/vsi.2016.32.4.186.

Successful Anticoagulation Therapy for Antiphospholipid Syndrome with Mobile Aortic Thrombi

• Park HO
• Moon SH
• Kim JW
• Byun JH
• Kim SH
• Yang JH
• Lee CE
• Kim JD

• KMID: 2364681
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5758/vsi.2016.32.4.186

Abstract

Hypercoagulable states have been associated with aortic thrombosis. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is one of the commonest types of acquired thrombophilia. We report the case of successful anticoagulation management in an APS patient with mobile thrombi within the aorta. A 58-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department (ED) with right-sided hemiparesis. His first symptoms were noted approximately 12-16 hours before presentation to the ED. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed acute embolic infarction of the left frontal and parietotemporal lobes. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) demonstrated mobile thrombi attached to the wall of the ascending aorta and aortic arch. The patient was diagnosed with APS based on positivity of anti-beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies, and was initiated on anticoagulation therapy. Repeated TEE and CTA revealed complete resolution of the thrombi after 12 days of treatment; the patient was discharged well.

Keyword

Aorta; Thrombosis; Antiphospholipid syndrome

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Antibodies
Antiphospholipid Syndrome*
Aorta
Aorta, Thoracic
Brain
Echocardiography, Transesophageal
Emergency Service, Hospital
Glycoproteins
Humans
Infarction
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Paresis
Thrombophilia
Thrombosis
Antibodies
Glycoproteins