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Updated: May 5, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Left atrial ball thrombus in combined mitral-aortic valve disease
R O Schäfer1, G Evers, P Morgan
1Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Berlin-Buch, Germany.
Insights
A left atrial ball thrombus was identified using echocardiography in a patient with mitral-aortic valve disease. Surgical intervention was successfully guided by these echocardiographic findings alone.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Combined mitral-aortic valve disease presents complex diagnostic challenges.
- Left atrial thrombus formation is a known complication in valvular heart disease.
Observation:
- Echocardiography revealed a significant left atrial ball thrombus in the affected patient.
- The thrombus was detected during routine evaluation for the combined valve disease.
Findings:
- Surgical correction of the mitral-aortic valve disease was performed.
- The surgical plan was based solely on the echocardiographic diagnosis of the atrial thrombus.
Implications:
- Echocardiography is a crucial tool for diagnosing left atrial thrombus in valvular heart disease.
- Accurate echocardiographic diagnosis can guide effective surgical management, even for complex intracardiac masses.
Abstract:
This report describes a patient with left atrial ball thrombus which was detected during echocardiographic evaluation of combined mitral-aortic valve disease. Surgical correction was performed entirely on the basis of the echocardiographic diagnosis.
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Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management
Mitral Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management

