Infection of left ventricular thrombus in a patient with silent myocardial infarction--a unique complication.
A 72-year-old male was admitted to hospital with exertional dyspnoea of recent onset. Echocardiography showed a left ventricle which was severely hypokinetic on the anteroseptal and anterior wall with an akinetic inferior wall and apex. A string of globular masses was seen to be floating in the left ventricle, attached to the septum near the apex. Coronary arteriography showed severe two-vessel disease. Urgent surgery revealed degenerated thrombus in the left ventricle containing green pus. The infected thrombus was attached to an area of septal infarction. The pus-filled thrombus was removed and by-pass grafting was effected. No infective organism was identified.
Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex, U.K.
R
R
Senior
E B
EB
Raftery
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000368:Aged; D004452:Echocardiography; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006346:Heart Septum; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging