Removal of an intra-aortic thrombus

A 70-year-old female patient was referred from a peripheral hospital to our department with an incidental finding of an intra-aortic mass. Chest access was gained by a median sternotomy, and visualization of the intra-aortic mass was achieved using epiaortic ultrasound. After systemic heparinization, arterial cannulation was performed in the distal aortic arch. The right atrium was cannulated; the patient was cooled to a target temperature of 22°C. With the patient under hypothermic circulatory arrest, a transverse aortotomy was performed 3 cm proximal to the brachiocephalic trunk, and prompt removal of the tumour was achieved. After establishing antegrade cerebral perfusion, proper visualization of the aortic wall was achieved, and no pathological alterations of the aortic wall were encountered. After closure of the aorta and complete rewarming, the patient was easily weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass. Chest closure was performed in the usual fashion. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the histopathological diagnosis was thrombus formation. Consequently, the patient was placed on lifelong phenprocoumon therapy.