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Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
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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.
Journal of Echocardiography
|June 10, 2016
Summary
Sub-massive pulmonary embolism with right-heart thrombus is a high-risk condition. Echocardiography is crucial for prompt diagnosis and management of these critical pulmonary embolism cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pulmonary thrombo-embolic disease diagnosis has advanced with echocardiography.
- Sub-massive pulmonary embolism (SMPE) and right-heart thrombus (RHT) are increasingly recognized findings.
- The concurrence of SMPE and RHT indicates a poor prognosis and necessitates rapid intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To raise awareness of the echocardiography laboratory's role in diagnosing SMPE with RHT.
- To highlight the importance of prompt diagnosis and management for this high-risk patient group.
- To present two case studies of patients with SMPE and simultaneous RHT.
Main Methods:
- Case report methodology.
- Echocardiographic assessment for pulmonary embolism and right-heart thrombus.
- Review of clinical management strategies for identified high-risk patients.
Main Results:
- Echocardiography identified SMPE with concurrent RHT in two patients.
- The findings indicated a high-risk profile requiring urgent management.
- Management strategies were discussed in the context of the presented cases.
Conclusions:
- Echocardiography plays a pivotal role as a "first responder" in identifying high-risk pulmonary embolism.
- Prompt recognition of SMPE with RHT is essential for timely and effective patient management.
- Awareness and familiarity with echocardiographic findings in this scenario are critical for clinicians.
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