Video-assisted cardioscopy for left ventricular thrombectomy in a child

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 66; no. 1; pp. 248 - 250
• Main Authors: Mazza, Ida L, Jacobs, Jeffrey P, Aldousany, Abdulwahab, Chang, Anthony C, Burke, Redmond P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-07-1998; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adolescent; Aorta - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Embolism - etiology; Endoscopy; Female; Heart; Heart Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Heart Diseases - etiology; Heart Diseases - surgery; Heart Ventricles - diagnostic imaging; Heart Ventricles - surgery; Humans; Medical sciences; Myocarditis - complications; Myocarditis. Cardiomyopathies; Subclavian Artery; Thrombectomy - adverse effects; Thrombectomy - methods; Thrombosis - diagnostic imaging; Thrombosis - etiology; Thrombosis - surgery; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Human; Ventriculoscopy; Associated technique; Thrombus; Instrumentation therapy; Cardiovascular disease; Myocardial disease; Left ventricle; Case study; Myocarditis; Thrombectomy; Heart disease; Complication; Endoscopy; Child
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(98)00366-X

Left ventricular thrombus is a complication of myocardial infarction, ventricular aneurysm, cardiomyopathy, and myocarditis. Left ventriculotomy has been the standard approach for removal of left ventricular thrombus. This approach has produced an unacceptable incidence of ventricular dysfunction, arrhythmias, and aneurysm formation. We describe a case of left ventricular thrombus with systemic embolization in a patient with myocarditis. Video-assisted cardioscopy allowed visualization and removal of the thrombus via an aortotomy, thereby avoiding a left ventriculotomy.