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[Mitral valve stenosis associated with a floating ball thrombus in the left atrium; report of a case]
M Doiguchi1, S Ikei, M Mizutani
1Department of Surgery, Kumamoto National Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan.
Insights
A rare floating ball thrombus in the left atrium was diagnosed in a heart failure patient. Surgical removal after mitral valve replacement was successful, preventing risks like sudden death and embolization.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Floating ball thrombus in the left atrium is a rare clinical finding.
- Mitral valve stenosis can predispose patients to thrombus formation.
- Heart failure symptoms may mask or accompany rare cardiac masses.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old female presented with heart failure symptoms.
- Echocardiography revealed a mobile, ball-like mass in a dilated left atrium.
- The patient was diagnosed with mitral valve stenosis.
Findings:
- The mass was identified as a floating ball thrombus.
- Successful mitral valve replacement was performed.
- The ball thrombus was surgically removed post-valve replacement.
Implications:
- Prompt surgical intervention for floating ball thrombus is crucial.
- Early diagnosis and removal mitigate risks of sudden cardiac death.
- Mitral valve stenosis management is key in preventing such rare embolic events.
Abstract:
A floating ball thrombus in the left atrium is relatively a rare case. A 70 year-old female patient who showed a symptom of heart failure was admitted to our hospital. By echocardiography, the mass in the dilated left atrium was appeared to be a floating ball thrombus, and the patient was diagnosed to be mitral valve stenosis. Following the treatment of heart failure, the patient underwent mitral valve replacement and the ball thrombus was successfully removed. Because of the high risk of sudden death with strangulated ball thrombus and systemic embolization, surgical removal of the ball thrombus should be done immediately after the diagnosis was established.