Pulmonary embolism and concomitant floating aortic thrombus are a rare
and potentially life-threatening association. Several therapeutic
options are available and best management can be controversial when
these conditions coexist. We describe a case of a 79-year-old woman
presented with massive pulmonary embolism and simultaneous floating
thrombus in the ascending aorta. She underwent concomitant ascending
aortic replacement and surgical pulmonary embolectomy with an uneventful
postoperative recovery. Open surgical repair is a one stage repair
approach that may offer the most efficient treatment to allow survival.