Septic atrial thrombus. A complication of central venous catheterisation.
A 77-year-old man underwent repair of a vesicocolic fistula following which he had a protracted stay in the intensive care unit due to recurrent septicaemia, which was initially caused by bowel anastomosis breakdown. Management included central venous cannulation and pulmonary artery catheter monitoring. A septic, mobile right atrial thrombus developed, which was successfully treated. The literature on this condition is reviewed.
Joshi
P
P
Department of Anaesthetics, Westminster Hospital, London.
Bullingham
A
A
Soni
N
N
D000368:Aged; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*