SADDLE EMBOLISM OF AORTA IN RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Rheumatic heart disease is an important cause of systemic arterial embolism. Acute aortic occlusion is an infrequent, but potentially catastrophic condition with a high early mortality rate. It calls for immediate revascularization in order to salvage the limbs and save life. We hereby report a 25 year old female with rheumatic heart disease in atrial fibrillation with thromboembolic occlusion of the infrarenal aorta at the bifurcation, known as a saddle embolus, with a favourable outcome.