Successful treatment of right ventricular thrombus with heparin and sodium warfarin therapy: a case report

A 75-year-old woman came to our emergency clinic complaining of abdominal pain. Acute cholecystitis was diagnosed, and parenteral antibiotic therapy was initiated. Because of palpitation, she had a consultation with the cardiology clinic. Echocardiography showed a 2.7 x 2.2 cm mobile thrombus attached to the apex of the right ventricle. Since no thromboembolic complications were present, we decided to begin administering heparin and oral anticoagulant. After the administration of unfractionated heparin for 48 hours, the patient was shifted to low-molecular weight heparin because it is easier to use and requires no follow-up. The patient received low-molecular weight heparin in addition to sodium warfarin for 5 days. Administration of heparin was then stopped and treatment was continued with sodium warfarin. In the series of weekly echocardiography evaluations, a gradual reduction was noted in the apical mass, which was initially considered to be a thrombus, and 3 weeks later evaluation revealed that the thrombus in the right ventricle had disappeared completely. No thromboembolic complications were observed during the follow-up period.