Morphology of right heart thrombi in pulmonary embolism: A case series and analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The occurrence of right heart thrombus (RiHT) in pulmonary embolism (PE) carries poor prognosis. Type A Thrombi are serpiginous, highly mobile with high mortality. Type B Thrombi are less mobile and have better prognosis. Type C is intermediate in all characteristics. Methods: This is an observational study done in patients presenting with RiHT with PE to the emergency unit of our institute from March to August 2016. A total of seven patient's clinical and electrocardiographic data were collected with a history of deep vein thrombosis or hypercoagulability. Results: This case series of seven patients with right heart thrombi in pulmonary embolism showed a predominance of male patients, with right ventricle dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension in all cases. Conclusion: Early fibrinolysis in type A thrombus had a favourable outcome. Mortality was 29% in our series.

Keywords

• echocardiography
• outcomes
• right heart thrombi
• treatment
• thrombi types