Neonatal arterial thrombosis: Treatment via a patent ductus arteriosus

Abstract Arterial thrombosis in the neonate is a rare and potentially fatal occurrence. Management usually consists of emergent systemic anticoagulation, systemic thrombolysis, and/or surgical thrombectomy. We report two cases of neonatal arterial thrombosis that were managed by using the patent ductus arteriosus to access the aorta for thrombectomy or thrombolysis via a venous puncture. In the first case, complete occlusion of the abdominal aorta was relieved with mechanical thrombectomy; however, the patient expired due to abdominal reperfusion injury. In the second case, left iliac artery occlusion was treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis. This patient required a below the knee amputation.