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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
28:13
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Giant left atrial thrombus successfully treated with anticoagulation
Constantin B Marcu1, Clifford Kramer, Thomas J Donohue
1Section of Cardiology, P-207, Hospital of Saint Raphael, Yale University, 1450 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06511, USA. bmarcu@srhs.org
Heart, Lung & Circulation
|October 19, 2006
Summary
A large left atrial mass resolved completely with warfarin anticoagulation in an elderly woman with atrial fibrillation. This non-surgical approach prevented systemic embolization, highlighting effective anticoagulation therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism.
- Left atrial masses can be challenging to manage, with thrombus formation being a significant concern.
Observation:
- An elderly female patient with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation presented with a large (6 cm x 4 cm) left atrial mass detected via transesophageal echocardiography.
- The patient declined surgical intervention for the presumed thrombus.
Findings:
- Initiation of oral anticoagulation with warfarin led to the complete resolution of the left atrial mass after eight weeks.
- No instances of systemic embolization were observed during the treatment period.
Implications:
- This case suggests that conservative management with anticoagulation can be a viable and effective strategy for managing left atrial masses in select patients.
- It underscores the importance of anticoagulation therapy in preventing thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation and intracardiac masses.
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