A giant thrombus in the right ventricle of a newborn with Down syndrome: successful treatment with rt-PA

Abstract

An association between thromboembolic events and Down syndrome (DS) has been increasingly reported in the literature. It is not clear whether patients with DS have increased risk for thrombotic disorders or there is a coincidence. We present a case of giant right ventricular thrombus in a neonate with DS. Risk factors for thrombosis in the present case were neonatal sepsis and dehydration. There was no congenital heart anomaly. The patient was treated successfully using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator seems to be a safe and effective thrombolytic therapy in neonates.