Free floating thrombus in the ascending aorta after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a case series.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) using venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) is an advanced resuscitative measure to improve survival in refractory cardiac arrest. Although ECPR allows for organ perfusion during critical interventions, it carries a high-risk of complications, including thrombosis. Thrombus formation within the ECMO circuit and the patient's vasculature is common, yet focal ascending aortic thrombosis following ECPR is rarely reported.

Case summary

We present two case reports of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest managed with ECPR that developed unexpected floating thrombi in the ascending aorta. The first patient, a 45-year-old woman with suspected myocarditis, developed a thrombus that obstructed the left main

SUBMITTER: Tomasino M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12352108 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature