Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Large mass impinging on the left atrium: diagnostic value of a new cocktail
Matthew Smelley1, Roberto M Lang
1Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Abstract:
The differential for a large mass impinging on the left atrium should include a hiatal hernia. When a hiatal hernia is suspected, the patient can be asked to ingest a carbonated beverage. Oftentimes, the beverage and bubbles can help delineate the herniation on echocardiography. This technique can make the diagnosis, but it is not always successful. WE report a case of a patient with a large hiatal hernia which was clearly demonstrated by having the patient swallow a carbonated beverage mixed with 1.5 ml of activated Definity contrast media. This novel cocktail has not been described in the literature to date.
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