Paravisceral aortic thrombus as a source of peripheral embolization--report of three cases and review of the literature.

Spontaneous embolization resulting in peripheral arterial occlusion remains a significant cause of morbidity and limb loss. Accurate localization and correction of the embolic source is paramount for the prevention of further episodes and for the preservation of long-term patency and limb salvage. Common well-recognized embolic sources include intracardiac thrombus or myxoma, and thrombus within arterial aneurysms or complex atherosclerotic plaques. Less common is thrombus arising de novo in an otherwise normal aorta, possibly as a result of prior trauma, occult arteriopathy, and/or hypercoagulability. Reported herein are three cases of peripheral or mesenteric embolization arising from large thrombi within the visceral aortic segment, with minimal evidence for atherosclerosis or other aortic pathology. Each patient was treated with visceral aortic thrombectomy using a direct surgical approach.