Thrombus straddling an atrial septal defect: surgical prevention of massive pulmonary and systemic embolization.
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.
Konstantinov
Igor E
IE
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia. konstantinov.igor@alumni.mayo.edu
Saxena
Pankaj
P
Blackham
Ruth
R
Barrett
Trenton
T
Finn
Chris
C
Newman
Mark A J
MA
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
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin