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Spontaneous left atrial echocardiographic contrast in mitral stenosis: early disappearance after valve replacement
P Voci1, G Scibilia, F Bilotta
1Section of Cardiology II, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
Insights
Transesophageal echocardiography revealed massive spontaneous left atrial contrast, mimicking thrombus in a mitral stenosis patient. This contrast cleared post-cardiopulmonary bypass, highlighting echocardiography
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Mitral stenosis can lead to left atrial enlargement.
- Distinguishing intraatrial masses from other findings is clinically important.
Abstract:
We describe a patient with mitral stenosis and severely enlarged left atrium. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a false image of intraatrial thrombus, whereas transesophageal echocardiography showed massive spontaneous left atrial contrast. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography was performed. During cardioplegic arrest the contrast was enhanced, but it gradually and completely cleared 15 minutes after cardiopulmonary by-pass arrest. Transesophageal echocardiography is a useful technique for the study of intraatrial masses and may bring a new dimension to tissue characterization studies.