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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Giant Isolated Congenital Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm Complicated by Thrombus: Multimodality Imaging Assessment
José Martín Alanís-Naranjo1, Gabriela Meléndez-Ramírez2, Regina de la Mora-Cervantes3
1Cardiovascular Imaging Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico.
Background:
Left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare cardiac malformation; giant forms of LAAA complicated by thrombus are exceptionally uncommon.
Case Summary:
A 36-year-old woman with atrial flutter, palpitations, and dyspnea was evaluated after chest radiography showed cardiomegaly and computed tomography revealed a mediastinal mass. Cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed a giant LAAA measuring 11 × 6 × 1 cm with a thrombus measuring 21 × 25 × 24 mm, producing a mass effect and contacting the mid-left anterior descending artery. Surgical resection was performed, with remission of atrial flutter, resolution of symptoms, and clinical stability at 6-month follow-up.
Discussion:
LAAA is linked to arrhythmia, embolic events, and compression. Multimodality imaging defines anatomy and thrombus, while surgery is the treatment in complicated cases.
Take-Home Messages:
LAAA carries risks of arrhythmia, thromboembolism, and compression. Multimodality imaging enables diagnosis and thrombus detection. Surgery provides symptom relief, arrhythmia remission, and prevention of complications.
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