A case report: mixed thrombus formation in a previously sutured right atrium

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pathology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Atrial septal defect (ASD) repair is a common cardiac procedure.
• Post-operative complications, though rare, require thorough investigation.
• Cardiac masses can arise from various etiologies, including thrombosis.

Observation:

• A 19-year-old woman presented with a right atrial mass nine months after ASD repair.
• Transthoracic echocardiography revealed the mass attached to the anterior right atrial wall.
• The mass's location and attachment were key diagnostic features.

Findings:

• Pathologic examination identified the mass as a mixed-type thrombosis.
• The thrombosis exhibited unusual organizational characteristics.
• This specific presentation of organized thrombosis post-ASD repair is novel.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering unusual thrombotic formations in post-cardiac surgery patients.
• Suggests the need for detailed pathological analysis of cardiac masses.
• Contributes to the literature on rare cardiac complications following septal defect repair.