Right atrial thrombus from inferior vena cava after acute cardiotoxicity of 5-Fluorouracil

Abstract

We reported a case of large right atrial thrombus which migrated from the inferior vena cava after acute left ventricular dysfunction due to 5-Fluorouracil cardiotoxicity. The patient had recurrent episodes of chest pain and dyspnea suggestive of pulmonary thromboembolism and several days later control echocardiography showed that the right atrial thrombus had disappeared. The patient was discharged with oral anticoagulant therapy with no further clinical sequele during an 11 month period but died because of progression of metastatic processes. We hypothesized that initial congestive heart failure had been a provocative factor for thromboembolic events from previous thrombus formation at the inferior vena cava. (Cardiol J 2008; 15: 284-285)