Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
07:49
A Pacing-Controlled Procedure for the Assessment of Heart Rate-Dependent Diastolic Functions in Murine Heart Failure Models
Published on: July 21, 2023
Ping pong ball in the hefty heart: a case report
1Department of Medicine, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. das_rabindranath@hotmail.com
Kathmandu University Medical Journal (KUMJ)
|July 8, 2008
Summary
A large left atrial thrombus, a rare complication of mitral stenosis, was incidentally found. Anticoagulant therapy led to fatal intracerebral hemorrhage due to lack of surgical options.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Critical mitral stenosis can lead to severe cardiac complications.
- Left atrial thrombus formation is a known risk in mitral stenosis.
Observation:
- A large, free-floating left atrial thrombus was incidentally detected via echocardiography.
- The patient presented with mild dyspnea, attributed to smoking, and lacked typical ball thrombus symptoms.
- No embolic events, syncope, or arrhythmias were noted.
Findings:
- The case highlights an unusual presentation of left atrial thrombus without characteristic ball thrombus complications.
- Echocardiography proved crucial for incidental diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case underscores the varied clinical manifestations of mitral stenosis complications.
- Delayed or unavailable cardiothoracic intervention can lead to adverse outcomes, even with anticoagulation.
