[Surgical treatment of atrial thrombosis. A transesophageal echocardiogram study]

Minerva Cardioangiol. 2001 Aug;49(4):279-83.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Transesophageal echocardiogram is the procedure of choice in the evaluation of masses located in the cardiac chambers. In this paper three cases of atrial thrombosis are presented: a) a free floating ball thrombus in the left atrium in a patient with moderate mitral stenosis; b) three thrombotic masses adherent to a central venous catheter; c) three thrombotic masses attached to Chiari s network in a patient operated for an ostium secundum atrial septal defect one year before. In all cases transesophageal echocardiogram has played a key role in the diagnosis. Medical therapy has been inadequate and so surgical removal has been performed. Unsuccessful medical therapy, a new episode of thrombosis, intracardiac permanent catheter infections and high risk of systemic and pulmonary embolism are indications for thrombectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Female
  • Heart Atria
  • Heart Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Diseases / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombosis / surgery*