Huge thrombus in the ascending aorta: a case report and literature review

Background A floating thrombus in the ascending aorta is occasionally found in clinical practice. The treatment for such lesions is poorly defined and mainly depends on the clinical experience of the surgeons. Case presentation We herein report a case involving a 22- × 22- × 45-mm space-occupying lesion in the ascending aorta. The patient was successfully treated with surgical intervention. Thrombectomy and ascending aorta replacement were performed to prevent systemic embolization. Histopathological examination revealed that the lesion was a thrombus. Conclusions Aortic computed tomography angiography is a useful examination technique for patients with aortic thrombi. Resection of the thrombus can effectively reduce the risk of recurrent embolism.