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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

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A disappearing left atrial thrombus

Takashi Matsuyama1, Ikuo Satoh, Takafumi Akagami

  • 1Nishinomiya Kyoritsu Neurosurgical Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan. matsuyama.takashi@nk-hospital.or.jp

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : Official Publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
|February 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Transthoracic echocardiography visualized a migrating left atrial thrombus in an elderly patient with atrial fibrillation. This real-time imaging enabled prompt diagnosis and treatment of cardioembolic stroke, highlighting echocardiography's diagnostic value.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation is a common risk factor for cardioembolic stroke.
  • Left atrial thrombus formation is a known complication of atrial fibrillation.
  • Accurate and timely diagnosis of stroke etiology is crucial for effective treatment.

Observation:

  • A case study involving an elderly patient diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
  • Direct visualization of a migrating left atrial thrombus using transthoracic echocardiography.
  • Real-time observation of the thrombus's left atrial-ventricular-aortic path.

Findings:

  • Transthoracic echocardiography successfully identified a mobile left atrial thrombus.
  • The thrombus's migratory path was documented, indicating a high risk of embolism.
  • The diagnosis facilitated prompt intervention for acute cardioembolic cerebral infarction.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the critical role of transthoracic echocardiography in diagnosing stroke, particularly in identifying cardiac sources of embolism.
  • Real-time echocardiographic visualization can guide immediate therapeutic decisions in stroke management.
  • The findings emphasize the importance of echocardiography in evaluating patients with atrial fibrillation and suspected embolic events.

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