A thalassaemia intermedia case with concomitant left atrial thrombus

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Hematology
• Thrombosis Research

Background:

• Thalassaemia patients experience improved longevity due to transfusions and chelation.
• Cardiovascular complications and hypercoagulable states are significant concerns, particularly in thalassaemia intermedia.
• Thromboembolic events, like DVT and cerebral thrombosis, are documented, but intracardiac thrombosis is rare.

Observation:

• A patient with a history of splenectomy, who missed regular follow-ups, presented with worsening exercise dyspnea over two months.
• This presentation suggested a potential serious complication despite previous management for thalassaemia.

Findings:

• The patient's symptoms were attributed to intracardiac thrombosis, a seldom-reported complication in thalassaemia.
• This finding underscores the potential for severe thrombotic events even after splenectomy and in the absence of regular monitoring.

Implications:

• Highlights the need for vigilant monitoring of cardiovascular complications, including rare thrombotic events, in thalassaemia patients.
• Suggests that even post-splenectomy patients require consistent follow-up to prevent and manage life-threatening thromboembolic events.
• Emphasizes the importance of considering intracardiac thrombosis in the differential diagnosis for dyspnea in thalassaemia patients.