Right heart thrombus causing syncope in an elderly patient

Age Ageing. 2015 Sep;44(5):896-8. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afv092. Epub 2015 Jul 28.

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism and thromboembolic disease carry a high mortality if not recognised and managed appropriately. Herein we illustrate the case of a dehydrated elderly female patient with recurrent syncope who proved to have high risk pulmonary embolism and a free floating right heart thrombus. The echocardiographic findings of right heart thrombus and possible thrombi 'in transit' within a low flow inferior vena cava, guided a life-saving treatment in this frail elderly patient.

Keywords: older people; pulmonary embolism in elderly; right heart thrombus; syncope; thrombolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Dehydration / complications
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly
  • Heart Diseases / complications*
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis
  • Heart Diseases / drug therapy
  • Heart Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Recurrence
  • Syncope / diagnosis
  • Syncope / etiology*
  • Thrombosis / complications*
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Thrombosis / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / diagnostic imaging
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / physiopathology

Substances

  • Anticoagulants