Left ventricular thrombosis during infancy: report of two cases
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1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Left ventricular thrombosis is rare in infants but can occur due to abnormal heart blood flow. Echocardiography aids diagnosis, with outcomes varying based on underlying conditions and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) is uncommon in neonates and infants.
- Abnormal hemodynamics are a potential contributing factor to LVT.
- Echocardiography is a key diagnostic tool for identifying cardiac thrombi.
Observation:
- A 6-week-old girl with supraventricular tachycardia presented with LVT, heart failure, and peripheral embolization.
- A newborn boy with severe aortic stenosis had a large thrombus along the interventricular septum.
Findings:
- In the first patient, LVT diminished and the girl recovered after restoring normal heart rhythm.
- The second patient, despite valvotomy, died, with post-mortem examination confirming the massive LVT.
Implications:
- This case series highlights the importance of echocardiography in diagnosing LVT in pediatric patients.
- Management strategies and outcomes for LVT in neonates and infants may depend on the underlying cardiac condition.
- Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology and optimize treatment for pediatric LVT.
Abstract:
Two patients with left ventricular thrombosis diagnosed by echocardiography are presented. The first patient was a 6-week-old girl with supraventricular tachycardia. Cross-sectional echocardiography showed a rounded and mobile structure protruding from the left ventricular wall. The girl was in heart failure and had signs of peripheral embolization. After sinus rhythm had been restored the thrombus diminished gradually and the girl recovered. The second patient was a newborn boy with severe aortic stenosis and a large massive thrombus along the left side of the interventricular septum. The boy died after valvotomy, the post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of a large thrombus. Left ventricular thrombosis is uncommon in neonates and infants but may appear secondary to abnormal hemodynamics.