Saddle embolus of the aortic bifurcation treated by embolectomy.

Sudden occlusion of the aorta usually occurs at its bifurcation and is due to lodgement of an embolus. A blood clot sufficiently large to straddle the aorta usually comes from the atrium in a case of mitral stenosis. The importance of this aetiological factor was stressed by Banowitch and Ira (1928). Hermann et al. (1943) discussed the clinical manifestations and treatment of this condition. By 1950, 200 cases of saddle embolus of the aorta had been recorded; 75 per cent of these died. Of these cases, eight were reported to have been cured by conservative management and there were four spontaneous recoveries. Up to this time, Albright and Leonard (1950) recorded 26 cures after successful embolectomy and Ewing (1950) also recorded 13 more survivals, including two of his own cases.