Atrial thrombus is a blood clot that forms in the left atrium of the heart. This condition is associated with a number of medical conditions, including atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and certain types of valve disease. Treatment of atrial thrombus depends on the underlying cause and the size of the clot.
Medical Treatment
The primary treatment for atrial thrombus is anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin, dabigatran, apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban. These medications help to prevent the formation of new blood clots and reduce the risk of stroke. In some cases, medications may also be used to dissolve existing clots.
Interventional Procedures
In some cases, interventional procedures may be used to treat atrial thrombus. These procedures include thrombectomy, thrombolysis, and transcatheter clot removal. These procedures are used to break up the clot and remove it from the heart.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be required to treat atrial thrombus. Surgery may involve repairing or replacing damaged heart valves, or removing the clot from the heart. In some cases, a heart transplant may be necessary.
The treatment of atrial thrombus depends on the underlying cause and the size of the clot. Medical treatment with anticoagulant medications is the first line of treatment. In some cases, interventional procedures or surgery may be necessary to treat the condition.