Case report of a central venous access device-associated thrombosis with aortic embolism in a preterm infant

Background Thrombosis in neonates is commonly a central venous access device (CVAD) associated complication. Furthermore, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is frequently seen in preterm infants. Even though a coincidence of both is not unusual, detaching of the thrombus and organisation of an aortic embolism has not been described until now. Treatment recommendations of CVAD-associated thrombosis in neonates do not consider frequently seen complications of preterm infants e.g. intraventricular haemorrhage. This is the first case of a very preterm infant with pre-existing intraventricular haemorrhage, who developed a CVAD-associated thrombosis and thromboembolic complications.