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[A case of free-floating ball thrombus in left atrium with mitral stenosis]
I Shibasaki1, T Kaneko, T Obayashi
1Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Gunma Prefectural Cardiovascular Center, Maebashi, Japan.
Insights
A rare, large free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium, causing mitral stenosis, was successfully removed. This emergency open heart surgery involved thrombus removal, mitral valve replacement, and a modified MAZE procedure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Mitral stenosis is a significant cardiac condition.
- Free-floating ball thrombus is a rare embolic source.
Observation:
- A 71-year-old woman presented with transient ischemic attack.
- Echocardiography revealed a large free-floating ball thrombus (40x30x33 mm, 20g) in the left atrium with severe mitral stenosis.
Findings:
- Emergency open heart surgery was performed.
- Successful removal of the ball thrombus, mitral valve replacement, and a modified MAZE procedure were completed.
- The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and surgical intervention for rare cardiac thrombi.
- Successful management of large left atrial thrombus with mitral stenosis can lead to favorable outcomes.
- This case contributes to understanding the surgical management of complex cardiac thrombus scenarios.
Abstract:
We report a rare case of free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium with mitral stenosis. The patient was 71-year-old woman who admitted to the local hospital for transient ischemic attack. Electrocardiography showed atrial fibrillation and an echocardiogram examination revealed free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium with mitral stenosis. She was transferred to our hospital for emergency open heart operation. After removal of the ball thrombus, mitral valve replacement and modified MAZE procedure were successfully performed. The size of the ball thrombus was 40 x 30 x 33 mm and weighed 20 g. Postoperative course was uneventful.