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Review
. 2016 Dec 1;43(6):524-527.
doi: 10.14503/THIJ-15-5502. eCollection 2016 Dec.

Percutaneous Embolectomy of Serpentine Thrombus from the Right Atrium in a 51-Year-Old Man

Review

Percutaneous Embolectomy of Serpentine Thrombus from the Right Atrium in a 51-Year-Old Man

Soumya Patnaik et al. Tex Heart Inst J. .

Abstract

Treatment of large, fresh thrombi in the vascular system can be challenging. AngioVac, a cardiopulmonary pump system, has been used to remove large thrombi and even some tumors by a percutaneous route. We report here a case of a 51-year-old man who presented with a large thrombus (7.5 × 1.5 cm) in his inferior vena cava, extending into his right atrium and right ventricle. Because the surgical risk was high, we attempted percutaneous embolectomy via the AngioVac aspiration system. We also review the literature concerning this emerging technique.

Keywords: Thrombectomy/instrumentation/methods; vacuum-assist devices.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Transesophageal echocardiograms show a large, serpentine right atrial thrombus in A) short-axis and B) 4-chamber views. The dilated left ventricle and the interventricular septum bulge toward the right side.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Serial 3-dimensional echocardiographic frames show the anatomy and mobility of the serpentine thrombus. Read the images from left to right in the top panel, followed by left to right in the bottom panel.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Diagram shows the AngioVac circuit and cannulation technique used in our patient.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Photograph shows the large extracted thrombus (7.5 × 1.54 cm).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Post-procedural transesophageal echocardiogram shows no thrombus in the right atrium after suctioning.

References

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