Ulcera dell'Aorta Toracica - causa non usuale d'embolizzazione arteriosa

Ulceration of the thoracic aorta – unusual cause of arterial embolization Most arterial emboli are of cardiac origin, due to arrhytmia or alteration of endocardial lining (ischemic, rheumatic or heteroplastic). Less frequent is the arterial origin, from aneurysm or complicated atherosclerotic plaques. In addition to the treatment of embolic ischemia, it is important to identify the source of emboli, for its correction, and for decision on anticoagulant therapy. Aortic ulcer is a rare lesion, mainly in the thoracic aorta, often asymptomatic and benign, mostly tends to regress, but in some cases it may also evolve to penetrating aortic ulcer (PAO), intramural hemathoma (IMH), wall rupture, pseudoaneurysm, aortic dissection, with imminent life threat (Acute Aortic Syndrome). Diagnosis of aortic ulcer at Angio, CT, MRI, or Trans-Esophageal-Echo requires therefore careful monitoring and repeated examinations. If symptoms or signs of evolution appear, it must be urgently trated with surgical replacement of the affected segment, or preferebly exclusion by endoprosthesis.