Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
06:29

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

Published on: June 11, 2019

Free floating thrombus exiting the left ventricle

Hyungseop Kim1, Yun-Kyeong Cho, Chang-Wook Nam

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, 194, Dongsan-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-712, Republic of Korea. khyungseop@dsmc.or.kr

European Journal of Echocardiography : the Journal of the Working Group on Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology
|May 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A free-floating left ventricular thrombus was identified in a patient with prior myocardial infarction. The thrombus unexpectedly moved from the left ventricle into the aorta during echocardiography.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiac Pathology

Background:

  • Routine echocardiography is crucial for monitoring patients with a history of myocardial infarction.
  • Left ventricular thrombus formation is a known complication following myocardial infarction.
  • Assessing the mobility and potential embolic risk of cardiac thrombi is clinically significant.

Observation:

  • A 75-year-old male patient with prior myocardial infarction presented for routine echocardiography.
  • Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mobile, free-floating thrombus within the left ventricular cavity.
  • The thrombus was observed to transit from the left ventricle into the aorta during the echocardiographic examination.

Findings:

  • Identification of a mobile left ventricular thrombus.
  • Demonstration of spontaneous embolization of the left ventricular thrombus into the aorta.
  • Echocardiographic visualization of thrombus migration through the left ventricular outflow tract.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for spontaneous embolization of left ventricular thrombi.
  • Underscores the importance of careful echocardiographic assessment of thrombus characteristics, including mobility.
  • Suggests the need for prompt therapeutic intervention in cases of mobile left ventricular thrombi to prevent systemic embolism.

More Related Videos

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting03:40

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting

Published on: January 17, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction01:30

Venous 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...
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:29

Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:19

Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

A blood clot, or thrombus, is a semi-solid mass composed of fibrin, platelets, and red blood cells. When it forms within a vessel, it can obstruct blood flow, known as thrombosis. If part of the clot detaches, it becomes an embolus that can travel and block distant vessels. When this occurs in the pulmonary arteries, it causes a condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE).Origin and ImpactMost often, the embolus originates from a thrombus in the deep veins of the lower limbs, a condition called...
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization01:24

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization

Left heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the function and structure of the left side of the heart. It is generally performed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart defects.Diagnostic and therapeutic purposesLeft heart catheterization serves various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Assessing coronary artery bypass grafts.Evaluating coronary artery disease in...
Coronary Circulation01:21

Coronary Circulation

The heart, an organ critical to survival, gets nourishment not from the blood it pumps but from a separate circulation system known as coronary circulation. This is the shortest circulation in the body and is responsible for supplying the heart with the nutrients it needs to function effectively.
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...