Mobile ascending aortic atheroma diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography as source of peripheral vascular embolism.

Complex aortic atheromas are an important differential diagnosis to consider in evaluating sources of arterial embolization. Diagnosis of the embolic source is an essential first step, so treatment can then be initiated to prevent further reoccurrence. We report the case of a 36-year-old man, without significant medical history, who presented to the University of Illinois at Chicago with peripheral vascular embolism to the lower extremities.