31 patients underwent embolectomy for acute embolism of the aortic bifurcation. In most instances paralysis of the extremity (84%) was present, sudden onset of pain (16%) was less common. Neurological disease had been considered in 55%. The heart was source of emboli in 92%.

SUDDEN occlusion of the aortic bifurcation by embolic clot released from the heart constitutes one of the rare but dramatically important emergency situations seen in medical practice. If...

Embolism at the aortic bifurcation is a serious emergency. The diagnosis is not difficult if the physician is aware of this possibility in patients with auricular fibrillation, mitral valvular disease, or recent myocardial infarction.

Aortic saddle embolism is uncommon but associated with high morbidity and mortality. CT angiography is recommended for diagnosis, and bilateral transfemoral embolectomy is the preferred treatment. Postembolectomy internal iliac artery embolism was common, and prevention of pelvic ischemia should be considered for young patients.

Aortic saddle embolism is a rare case of spontaneous acute aortic occlusion which the embolus terminated and straddled at the aortic bifurcation, producing bilateral lower extremity arterial obstruction and led to serious hemodynamic and metabolic consequences.