Left atrial appendage thrombus in atrial flutter with no associated heart disease.
The risk of cardioembolic events and the role of anti-coagulation therapy in the management of patients with lone atrial flutter is not well defined in the medical literature. We report the case of an otherwise healthy 42-year-old man with chronic established atrial flutter, unassociated with any other heart disease or systemic illness, with transesophageal echocardiographic findings of a mobile left atrial appendage thrombus. The literature to date, potential mechanisms, and recommendations are discussed. The role of transesophageal electrocardiography and anticoagulation in atrial flutter may need to be considered more seriously, especially if atrial flutter has been present for a prolonged period of time.
Department of Medicine, Wellesley Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario.
Z
Z
Sasson
I
I
Mangat
P
P
Grande
I
I
Lorrette
D000328:Adult; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*