PMC3269355_01
A) Large thrombus in the left atrium. B) The surface of the left atrium was very rough even after the removal of thrombi.
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F1
The left atrium was opened through the Waterston's groove to remove the multiple thrombi; however, the atrial surface was very rough even after removing the thrombi (Figure 1).
A) Transesophageal echocardiogram shows new thrombus formation in the left atrium (arrow). B) Left atrial thrombus was not seen in transthoracic echocardiogram (postoperative 3 months). LA: left atrium; LV: left ventricle.
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F2
After this, no mitral regurgitation was observed by trans-esophageal echocardiogram, but a new thrombus was detected at the left atrium (Figure 2). While some signs of thrombus formation at the left atrium were noted during early follow-up, by three months post-surgery none were detected on the follow up echocardiogram (Figure 2).