Retrograde Aortic Thrombosis with TEVAR for Secondary Stroke Prevention: Case Report

Proximal aorta thrombi and atheromas have been identified as the source of cardioembolic ischemic stroke. Thrombi and atheromas distal to the carotid and subclavian origins have been overlooked as possible sources; however, descending thoracic aorta thrombi can embolize to the cerebral vasculature during diastolic retrograde aortic flow during diastole. Retrograde aortic flow is described and is capable of reaching the common carotid arteries....