Massive right atrial thrombosis due to Hickman catheter requiring open heart surgery--a case report.
The risk of catheter-related sepsis and clot formation in patients with an indwelling central venous line is well recognized. However the risk of developing a large thrombus in the right atrium is less well known. Right atrial thrombus can be a life-threatening complication of long-term indwelling catheters and should be considered in the workup of these patients. A case of a 71-year-old lady who developed a large atrial thrombus due to a Hickman catheter is reported that required open heart surgery. Incidence, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options are also reviewed.
Latif
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Cleveland Clinic Florida, Fort Lauderdale 33309, USA. Tahirlatif@hotmail.com
Steiman
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Gagaoudakis
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D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*