aortic atheroma
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Pathology
- intimal thickening
- calcification may actually confer stability to atheroma
- sometimes ulceration, destablization, development of mobile projections & embolization
Diagnostic procedures
Complications
- aortic atheromas >= 4 mm in thickness in the ascending aorta or aortic arch increase the risk of recurrent embolic stroke
- atheromas in the descending aorta are markers of atherosclerosis & cardiovascular risk, but do not seem to be associated with pathologic embolism
Management
- life style modification, risk factor reduction*
- antiplatelet agent: aspirin or clopidogrel
- warfarin may be superior to aspirin for prevention of stroke
- statin
* MKSAP dismisses diet & lifetyle modification; advocates aggressive treatment with anti-platelet agent & statin[1]