Abstract
Extensive atheromatous ulcerations in a non-aneurysmal aorta sometimes result in disseminated cholesterol microembolization such as peripheral or visceral embolization, which is known as “shaggy aorta syndrome”. Although it is fatal, the optimal therapy has not yet been clarified for this. We encountered a case in which abdominal aortic replacement was effective for infrarenal shaggy aorta. A 77-year-old man was referred for pain and discoloration of the left toes, and was given a diagnosis of blue toe syndrome. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed an infrarenal shaggy aorta, but no evidence of atheroma in the thoracic or pararenal aorta was observed. Moreover, laboratory tests did not reveal any visceral dysfunction. Although we administered antiplatelet agents, his left toes were amputated due to the recurrence of blue toe syndrome. We then performed abdominal aortic replacement of the shaggy aorta in order to prevent the recurrence of the embolism. Postoperative computed tomography showed no evidence of irregularities on the intimal surface of the aorta.
