title: Robotic-assisted excision of a left ventricular thrombus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  : Left ventricular thrombus is a rare entity usually associated with myocardial infarction. The daVinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif) offers excellent visualization of the mitral subvalvular apparatus and should provide an effective means to excise a left ventricular mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  : A 34-year-old man presented to an outside institution with fever of unknown origin and ulcerative colitis. As part of this workup, he underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram and subsequently a transesophageal echocardiogram that showed a 2-cm left ventricular apical pedunculated mass. He was referred to our institution for excision of this ventricular mass. Because of the pedunculated nature of the mass, he was deemed a candidate for a robotic-assisted minimally invasive approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : The patient underwent successful robotic-assisted excision of a left ventricular mass. Total robotic time was 15 minutes. Pathology revealed that the mass was a left ventricular thrombus. The patient experienced an uneventful recovery and was discharged home in 4 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : Left ventricular mass excision can be safely performed with the daVinci Surgical System. The daVinci Surgical System offers excellent visualization of the entire left ventricular cavity.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and †Department of Anesthesia, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York; and ‡Department of Cardiology, Oswego Hospital, Oswego, New York.
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Castigliano M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bhamidipati
authors.forename: Brant
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swartz
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kyobe
authors.forename: Karikehalli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dilip