Page created on November 12, 2018. Last updated on January 17, 2019 at 16:23
Organ: Heart
Description:
An opened left atrium is visible. Inside there is a huge thrombus stuck to the atrial wall.
Diagnosis: Large atrial thrombus
Causes:
- Virchow’s triad
- Endothelial damage
- Abnormal blood flow
- Hypercoagulability
- Especially atrial fibrillation
Theory:
Atrial fibrillation causes turbulence inside the atria, which promotes thrombus formation.
A thrombus in the atria can either obstruct the mitral valve or become a systemic embolus.
Thrombus formation in the atria isn’t too common, it’s more commonly found in the auricle.