Intracavitary thrombi in the right heart associated with multiple pulmonary emboli. Report of two patients

Abstract

Two-dimensional echocardiography identified intracavitary masses in the right heart in two patients presenting with extensive pulmonary embolism. In one, a right ventricular mass was identified which was confirmed at subsequent autopsy to be an organizing thromboembolus. In the second patient, a right atrial mass was identified; it disappeared with thrombolytic therapy which was accompanied by clinical improvement. We demonstrate that intracardiac thrombi associated with pulmonary embolism may be identified noninvasively by two-dimensional echocardiography. We suggest the presence of thrombi may represent a large intravascular thrombus. This recognition may influence therapeutic decisions.