Aortic Thromboembolism
Systemic arterial thromboembolism
También conocido como: FATE, Feline Aortic Thromboembolism, Saddle Thrombus, Saddle Embolus, Systemic Arterial Thromboembolism
En resumen
Aortic thromboembolism, or saddle thrombus, is a sudden, life-threatening emergency in dogs and cats where a blood clot blocks blood flow to the hind limbs. This guide explains the causes, critical warning signs, diagnostic process, and intensive treatment options for this severe cardiovascular condition.

TL;DR. Trombo en silla: emergencia súbita que bloquea el flujo a las patas traseras; dolor intenso y parálisis.
El trombo se aloja en la trifurcación aórtica.
¿Qué es?
Saddle thrombus: cardiac embolus lodges at the aortic trifurcation, cutting hind-limb flow. Ischemia leads to rhabdomyolysis, nerve injury, paresis/paralysis, and extreme pain.
Causas y factores de riesgo
Cat: usually HCM with enlarged left atrium. Dog: hypercoagulable states (Cushing, protein-losing nephropathy, IMHA, neoplasia, sepsis, pancreatitis, etc.).
Signos a vigilar
- Severe pain, hind paresis/paralysis, absent femoral pulses (cardinal)
- Cold limbs, pale/cyanotic pads, tachypnea, hypothermia (common)
- Muscle contracture, murmur/arrhythmia (occasional)

Almohadillas pálidas o azuladas y patas frías son clásicos.
Cómo lo diagnostican los veterinarios
Clinical five Ps (pain, paresis, pulselessness, pallor, poikilothermia). Echocardiography, abdominal ultrasound/Doppler, thoracic radiographs before diuretics, CK/AST, TEG if available.

El eco muestra agrandamiento auricular y a menudo trombo o humo.
Opciones de tratamiento
Opioid analgesia. Anticoagulation: heparin, LMWH; long-term clopidogrel, sometimes aspirin. Oxygen; cautious fluids. Monitor reperfusion injury (hyperkalemia).
Pronóstico
Poor: high acute mortality/euthanasia; recurrences common.
Prevención
Early cardiac screening; clopidogrel if marked LA enlargement. Treat underlying disease in dogs.
Cuándo llamar al veterinario
Category-5 emergency: sudden hind-limb paralysis, crying in pain, cold pale paws, severe dyspnea.
Fuentes
- Small Animal Critical Care Medicine, 2nd Edition, p. 253
- Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 5th Edition, pp. 235, 236, 244
My highlights & notes
Signos y síntomas
Razas de mayor riesgo
Cómo se diagnostica
- Abdominal Ultrasonography
- Angiography
- Doppler studies
- Echocardiography
- Measurement of muscle enzymes
- Thoracic radiography
- Thromboelastography
Enfoques de tratamiento
El tratamiento debe recetarlo un veterinario colegiado según tu mascota. Las dosis concretas no se muestran a propósito.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is Aortic Thromboembolism?
Aortic thromboembolism, or saddle thrombus, is a sudden, life-threatening emergency in dogs and cats where a blood clot blocks blood flow to the hind limbs. This guide explains the causes, critical warning signs, diagnostic process, and intensive treatment options for this severe cardiovascular condition.
What are the symptoms of Aortic Thromboembolism?
Absent arterial pulse、Acute limb paresis、Pain、Posterior paresis、Azotemia (high kidney waste in the blood)、Cool distal limbs、Cyanotic nailbeds、Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
How is Aortic Thromboembolism diagnosed?
Abdominal Ultrasonography、Angiography、Doppler studies、Echocardiography、Measurement of muscle enzymes、Thoracic radiography
How is Aortic Thromboembolism treated?
El tratamiento debe recetarlo un veterinario colegiado según tu mascota. Las dosis concretas no se muestran a propósito.
Fuentes
- Small Animal Critical Care Medicine, 2nd Edition (VetBooks.ir) · p. 253
- Internal Medicine 5th · p. 236
- Internal Medicine 5th · p. 244
- Internal Medicine 5th · p. 235
- Internal Medicine 5th · p. 236
Este artículo es educación general y no sustituye el consejo veterinario profesional. Si tu mascota está mal, consulta a un veterinario.
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