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Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Type A: right atrial thrombus associated with a sub-massive pulmonary embolism
Lamia Dris1, Fernando Boccalandro2,3,4
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
The increased use of echocardiography in patients with pulmonary thrombo-embolic disease has led to the recognition of sub-massive pulmonary embolism (SMPE) and concurrent right-heart thrombus (RHT). When these findings coincide, they are associated with a poor prognosis, identifying a high-risk group that often requires a rapid management. Since echocardiographers become the "first responders" in this clinical scenario, it is important to raise awareness and familiarize the readers regarding the importance played by the echocardiography laboratory in the prompt diagnosis and management of this entity. We describe two patients presenting with SMPE with an associated simultaneous RHT and discuss their management.
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