title: Thoracoscopy-assisted removal of left ventricular thrombus via minithoracotomy.
abstract: A left ventricular thrombus was successfully removed after broad anterior myocardial infarction in a 58-year-old woman, using video-assisted thoracoscopy via minimally invasive port access. Through a right minithoracotomy, a left ventricular thrombus behind the papillary muscles and trabeculation were completely visualized with the aid of thoracoscopy, and removed without difficulty. This approach seems to be a useful alternative to a left ventriculotomy, avoiding the resultant compromised left ventricular function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kousei General Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuroki
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murakami
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000601:surgery; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery / Q000379:methods*