Incidental Right Atrial Thrombus in an 18-Year-Old Female Patient

Thrombus formation in the right atrium has been quite rare and is generally associated with venous thromboembolism and foreign bodies in the right heart chambers. However, as more permanent hemodialysis catheters are implanted into patients with an end-stage renal disease, the incidence of right heart thrombus tends to increase. Unfortunately, despite its high mortality rate, there is no consensus on its treatment. In our case, a right atrial mass in an 18-year-old asymptomatic female patient who has been on peritoneal dialysis for many years due to end-stage renal disease was incidentally found. Her medical history included the placement of a jugular hemodialysis catheter due to peritonitis. During patient’s diagnostic workup, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed where the features of the mass were consistent with thrombus. After a 3-month course of anticoagulation, the thrombus resolved completely. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with its high sensitivity and specificity plays a pivotal role in identifying thrombi of rare locations. Anticoagulation in the absence of absolute contraindication may be the first option in catheter-related thrombus cases.

Cite this article as: Kilci H, Keskin K, Aksan G, Yıldız SS, Orta Kılıçkesmez K. Incidental Right Atrial Thrombus in an 18-Year-Old Female Patient. Turk J Nephrol 2019; 28(4): 321-3.