Massive right atrial thrombus associated with a Chiari network and a Hickman catheter.
The Chiari network is an embryologic remnant that is said to be present in only 1.5-3% of adults. It is rarely of clinical importance but may, very infrequently, be the site of thrombosis. The authors describe a patient in whom a massive right atrial thrombus formed on a Chiari network, leading to intermittent tricuspid obstruction. The thrombus had formed after the use of a Hickman catheter for the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. They can find no previously recorded examples of sufficient thrombus forming on a Chiari network to threaten life by obstructing the flow of blood through the heart.
D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000628:therapy; D014264:Tricuspid Valve Stenosis / Q000209:etiology