title: Thrombus straddling an atrial septal defect: surgical prevention of massive pulmonary and systemic embolization.
abstract: A large thrombus entrapped in an atrial septal defect is a rare condition that can lead to life-threatening systemic and pulmonary embolization. The use of thrombolysis may prove dangerous to the patient. Herein, we describe the emergency surgical management that contributed to a successful outcome in a 67-year-old man who was found to have a 23-cm-long thrombus across an atrial septal defect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia. konstantinov.igor@alumni.mayo.edu
authors.forename: Igor E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Konstantinov
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blackham
authors.forename: Trenton
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Finn
authors.forename: Mark A J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004452:Echocardiography; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin