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Left atrial free floating ball thrombus in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a case report
Tarkan Tekten1, O Alper Onbaşili, Ceyhun Ceylan
1Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Aydin, Turkey. tarkantekten@superonline.com
Insights
A rare ball-like thrombus caused atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and cardiogenic shock in a patient. Emergency surgery successfully removed the cardiac mass, resolving the critical condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Pathology
Background:
- A 33-year-old female presented with critical cardiovascular symptoms including atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and cardiogenic shock.
- These symptoms indicated a severe underlying cardiac pathology requiring immediate intervention.
Observation:
- Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a unique, free-floating, ball-type mass within the left atrial cavity.
- The patient also exhibited signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggesting a complex cardiac condition.
Findings:
- Emergency open-heart surgery was performed to address the life-threatening presentation.
- Surgical removal of the left atrial mass was successful.
- Pathologic examination definitively identified the excised mass as thrombotic material.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for intracardiac thrombi to mimic other cardiac pathologies and cause acute decompensation.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing such rare embolic events.
- Understanding the nature of cardiac masses is vital for effective treatment strategies in cardiovascular medicine.
Abstract:
In this article we reported a 33-year-old female patient who was referred to our emergency department with atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and cardiogenic shock. In her transthoracic echocardiography, a free-floating ball-type mass was seen in the left atrial cavity with a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. An emergency open-heart surgery was performed. The mass was removed, and pathologic examination confirmed the thrombotic material.