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Updated: May 13, 2026
06:29
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Large free-floating left atrial thrombus with normal mitral valve
Sundar Chidambaram1, Arunkumar Rajkumar, Gnanavelu Ganesan
1Madras Medical College, Chennai, India. sundarvimal@yahoo.com
Indian Heart Journal
|February 27, 2013
Summary
A rare case of left atrial ball valve thrombus occurred in a 36-year-old female with a normal mitral valve and atrial fibrillation. Emergency surgery was crucial due to the high risk of life-threatening emboli.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Neurology
Background:
- Left atrial thrombus is commonly associated with mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation.
- However, its occurrence with a normal mitral valve apparatus is exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old female presented with a left atrial ball valve thrombus despite having a normal mitral valve apparatus.
- The patient had a history of atrial fibrillation, stroke in the left middle cerebral artery territory, and gangrene of the right lower limb.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention was performed to remove the left atrial ball valve thrombus.
- The patient's complex medical history included infertility treatment and a prior cerebral infarct.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering left atrial thrombus even with normal mitral valve function in patients with atrial fibrillation.
- Prompt surgical management is essential to prevent potentially fatal embolic events.
- Further research may elucidate underlying mechanisms for thrombus formation in such rare presentations.
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