Thrombosis of the aorta and the caudal arteries in the horse; additional diagnostics and a new surgical treatment

Abstract

The prognosis of aortic-iliac thrombosis (TAI) is usually considered to be poor, although affected horses are reported to have recovered following treatment with sodium gluconate. This paper presents some diagnostic techniques to monitor the development of hypoxemia in the diseased limb and to visualise the extension of the thrombosis into the femoral artery. Also, a surgical technique using a Fogarty® thrombectomy catheter for partial or total removal of thrombi to restore blood flow, is described One horse recovered completely, allowing it to resume its former career, the other horse improved. The preliminary results of surgical interference in horses with TAI are promising. © 1996 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.