Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
06:29
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Aortic valve thrombus presenting as a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction
Charles Bradley Jones1, Teresa Draughn, Abdel-Mohsen Nomeir
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. jonescha@piratemail.ecu.edu
Summary
A rare case of aortic valve thrombus caused a myocardial infarction. This finding is unusual without prior valve issues or blood disorders.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Thrombosis is a known complication of prosthetic heart valves.
- Native heart valve thrombosis is exceedingly rare.
- Aortic valve thrombus typically occurs with underlying pathology or hematologic disorders.
Observation:
- A patient presented with symptoms of a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
- Diagnostic imaging revealed a large thrombus on the native aortic valve.
- The patient had no history of blood dyscrasia or prior valve disease.
Findings:
- The primary cause of the patient's NSTEMI was identified as a large aortic valve thrombus.
- This represents a rare instance of native aortic valve thrombosis.
- The absence of predisposing factors makes this case unique.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for native aortic valve thrombus to cause acute coronary syndromes.
- It underscores the importance of considering rare etiologies in myocardial infarction diagnosis.
- Further research may be needed to understand the mechanisms of thrombus formation in seemingly healthy native valves.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) encompasses a spectrum of heart conditions caused by sudden obstruction of coronary arteries, typically resulting from the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent thrombus (blood clot) formation. This obstruction can lead to partial or complete blockage of blood flow, causing varying degrees of myocardial ischemia or infarction.ACS includes the following clinical entities:Unstable Angina (UA)Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)ST-Elevation...
01:19Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...
01:30Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous thrombosis, the most common disorder of the veins, involves the formation of a thrombus or blood clot associated with vein inflammation. It can be classified as either superficial vein thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis.Superficial Vein Thrombosis: This involves the formation of a thrombus in a superficial vein, usually the greater or lesser saphenous vein. Though less severe than deep vein thrombosis (DVT), SVT can lead to complications if untreated.Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This...
01:22Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
01:23Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
01:26Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...