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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
06:29
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
[Right atrial thrombosis with acute abdominal onset]
1Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Craiova. Petrus_Dorel.Petcu@yahoo.com
Chirurgia (Bucharest, Romania : 1990)
|July 16, 2009
Summary
Right atrial thrombosis, though rare, can mimic digestive issues. Early diagnosis via echocardiography and CT, followed by heparin therapy, successfully lysed the thrombus and prevented sudden death.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Intracardiac masses are increasingly detected with advanced echocardiography.
- Right atrial thrombosis is a rare condition compared to left atrial thrombosis.
Observation:
- A patient presented with symptoms mimicking acute pancreatitis and mesenteric infarction.
- Digestive and cardiovascular signs were misleading.
- Imaging (echocardiography, CT) ruled out gastrointestinal causes.
Findings:
- A massive right atrial thrombus prolapsing through the tricuspid valve was identified.
- Elevated D-dimers and new right bundle branch block indicated right ventricular strain.
- Heparin therapy led to thrombus lysis within 36 hours.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis of right atrial thrombosis is crucial for preventing life-threatening complications.
- Prompt heparin treatment can effectively resolve the thrombus.
- Echocardiography and CT are vital for accurate diagnosis and management.
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