[Thrombus or myxoma?]

Beata Kuśmierczyk-Droszcz1, Ewa Michalak, Jerzy Wołczyk

  • 1Instytut Kardiologii, ul. Alpejska 42, 04-628 Warszawa. bkusmierczyk@ikard.pl

Kardiologia Polska
|September 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

A 70-year-old female with atrial fibrillation and stroke history had a left atrial mass. Urgent surgery removed a large thrombus originating from the left atrial appendage.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery

Background:

  • A 70-year-old female patient presented with permanent atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke.
  • These conditions increase the risk of thromboembolic events.

Observation:

  • Echocardiography revealed an oval mass in the left atrium.
  • The mass was suspected to be either a thrombus or an atrial myxoma.

Findings:

  • The patient underwent urgent cardiac surgery.
  • A long thrombus originating from the left atrial appendage was successfully identified and removed.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of investigating cardiac masses in patients with atrial fibrillation and stroke.
  • Surgical intervention can be effective in removing left atrial appendage thrombi, potentially reducing stroke risk.

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