Echocardiographic diagnosis of thrombus originating from the ductus arteriosus.
Initial functional closure of the ductus arteriosus normally occurs within hours after birth, with permanent closure taking several weeks. The mechanism for ductal closure has been well studied and has not been shown to include thrombus formation. We describe a normal infant found to have a thrombus originating in the ductus arteriosus that occluded the ductus and subsequently extended into the left pulmonary artery, threatening to occlude it as well. This case illustrates the importance of echocardiography in making this rare diagnosis. It also emphasizes the role of echocardiography as an effective means of following the progression or regression of such a thrombus.
Pagotto
L T
LT
Departments of Pediatrics and Surgery, Primary Children's Medical Center, and the University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84113, USA.
Tani
L Y
LY
Raetz
E
E
McGough
E C
EC
Minich
L L
LL
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D017131:Thrombectomy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight