Intracavitary thrombi in the right heart associated with multiple pulmonary emboli. Report of two patients.
Two-dimensional echocardiography identified intracavitary masses in the right heart in two patients presenting with extensive pulmonary embolism. In one, a right ventricular mass was identified which was confirmed at subsequent autopsy to be an organizing thromboembolus. In the second patient, a right atrial mass was identified; it disappeared with thrombolytic therapy which was accompanied by clinical improvement. We demonstrate that intracardiac thrombi associated with pulmonary embolism may be identified noninvasively by two-dimensional echocardiography. We suggest the presence of thrombi may represent a large intravascular thrombus. This recognition may influence therapeutic decisions.
D000293:Adolescent; D003374:Coumarins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003374:Coumarins; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin; D013300:Streptokinase