POCUS Journal (Nov 2023)

Role of POCUS in Assessing an Acute Aortic Thrombus

  • Zachary Boivin,
  • Emily Mensel,
  • Trent She

DOI
https://doi.org/10.24908/pocus.v8i2.16480
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 2

Abstract

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A 67-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain with a recent diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen demonstrated a filling defect concerning for an aortic thrombus. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) confirmed a mobile thrombus in the proximal abdominal aorta in close proximity to several major arterial branches, leading to urgent surgical consultation due to a concern for mesenteric and end-organ ischemia. POCUS played a role in determining patient management in this novel case, and the patient was anticoagulated and ultimately discharged from the hospital.

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