Atrial Thrombus in a Neonate: A Diagnostic Challenge

Abstract

Introduction Left atrial thrombus is a rare finding in a neonate. In the previous literature, atrial thrombi have been associated with catheter placement or congenital heart disease in a preterm infant.

Case We report the case of a full-term neonate with no known risk factors found to have a left atrial thrombus. The neonate was born at 38 weeks' gestation to a 31-year-old female via cesarean section who was sent to the normal nursery. On postnatal day 5, the infant was noted to have low-to-medium level of oxygen saturations (∼90%) and was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit with an echocardiogram completed on postnatal day 6 demonstrating a mobile, pedunculated mass attached to the left atrial septum with an appearance concerning for atrial myxoma. The infant underwent surgical resection on postnatal day 8 and pathology revealed the mass to be a left atrial thrombus.

Discussion The rare finding of an atrial thrombus in a neonate has previously been associated with central venous catheter placement or congenital heart disease. This case is unusual in that the patient had neither condition. Although echocardiogram findings appeared more consistent with atrial myxoma, final pathology revealed a left atrial thrombus. Additionally, hypercoagulability work-up for this neonate was largely negative. This report underscores the importance of identification, search for etiology, and prompt therapy to prevent potential catastrophic outcomes.

Keywords

atrial thrombus - neonate - infant - thrombus resection - heparin

Neonatal atrial thrombus has been reported only a handful of times in the literature thus far. The incidence of symptomatic neonatal arterial thromboembolic disease is reported to be approximately 0.25 of 10,000 live births with 90% of these associated with arterial access devices. Mortality is high, irrespective of treatment and has been as high as 33% in neonates with aortic thrombosis.[1] Atrial thrombus is typically associated with either catheter placement, specific structural abnormalities such as congenital heart disease, or hypercoagulability states. Ina et al describes the case of a neonatal atrial thrombus detected secondary to late-onset circulatory dysfunction and reports a total of six reported cases in the literature of atrial thrombi before that case.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Atrial thrombi are usually detected by an echocardiogram obtained in infants following a deep insertion of a catheter into the atrium. In other cases, known congenital heart disease, such as mitral valve stenosis, leads to left atrial blood congestion that helps in obtaining an echocardiogram.[7] In this case report, we describe a case of a full-term neonate with no known risk factors found to have left atrial thrombus.

Case Report

A female infant was born at 38 weeks' gestation to a 31-year-old G3P2Ab1 female who had prenatal care. The neonate was born via cesarean section secondary to fibroid uterus, with an APGAR score of 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, and did not require resuscitation. In the regular nursery, the infant was noted to be jaundiced on postnatal day 1 with a bilirubin of 10.4 mg/dL. She was started on phototherapy for a 4-day course. The infant also received a 5-day course of ampicillin and gentamicin secondary to unknown maternal group B streptococcus status and elevated C-reactive protein of 3.98 mg/dL. Blood and urine cultures obtained before initiating antibiotics were negative.

On postnatal day 5, the infant was noted to have low-to-medium level of oxygen saturations (∼ 90%) and was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit and placed on 0.5 L per minute of oxygen via nasal cannula to maintain saturations > 95%. A chest radiograph demonstrated bilateral haziness at the bases, concerning for possible pulmonary edema. An echocardiogram was obtained on postnatal day 6 that demonstrated a structurally normal heart with a mobile, pedunculated mass with a narrow stalk attached to the left atrial septum. The infant was then transferred to a tertiary center for surgical intervention. She was started on a heparin drip at 28 units/kg/h on postnatal day 7 and continued for 15 hours. A repeat echocardiogram on postnatal day 7 confirmed a large, pedunculated, well defined, mobile mass measuring approximately 7 × 12 mm with a narrow stalk attached to the left atrial septum at the level of the fossa ovalis, concerning for atrial myxoma versus thrombus ([Fig. 1A, B]).

Fig. 1 (A and B) Parasternal long-axis view of transthoracic echocardiogram and apical four-chamber view of transthoracic echocardiogram of atrial thrombus. Large, pedunculated, well-defined, mobile mass measuring approximately 7 × 12 mm with a narrow stalk attached to the left atrial septum at the level of the fossa ovalis.

Preoperative transesophageal echo performed on postnatal day 8 demonstrated a 6 × 6 × 10 mm echo bright mass tethered to redundant septum primum, more consistent in appearance and location to an atrial myxoma than thrombus. The mass did not appear to interfere with mitral function or inflow. The neonate underwent resection of the left atrial mass with no intraoperative complications. Postoperative transesophageal echocardiogram showed that the mass had been successfully resected and that the left atrial appendage was completely clear. Subsequent pathology analysis revealed the mass to be a thrombus ([Fig. 2]). The postoperative course was uncomplicated, and the neonate was extubated and a mediastinal chest tube was removed on postoperative day 1 ([Figs. 3] and [4]).

Fig. 2 Hematoxylin and eosin stain of soft tissue mass excision from left atrium, consistent with fibrin and red blood cell mural thrombus.

Fig. 3 Hematoxylin and eosin stain of a soft tissue mass excision from the left atrium that now demonstrates calcification.

Fig. 4 Hematoxylin and eosin stain of a soft tissue mass excision from the left atrium that demonstrates early organization indicating chronicity and suggests a possible relation to foramen ovale turbulence.

Hematological workup included protein C level, protein S level, antithrombin III level, prothrombin gene mutation, homocysteine level, and antiphospholipid antibody panel. The initial platelet count was 287 K/¨L, and there were no signs of consumptive coagulopathy. All laboratories were within normal range except an equivocal homocysteine level of 18 µmol/L (range, 2.5–12.5 µmol/L). Aspirin was started at a daily dose of 40.5 mg by mouth on postnatal day 11. At a follow-up hematology, outpatient visit on postnatal day 31, the neonate remained on aspirin and appeared healthy and asymptomatic. Follow-up transthoracic echocardiograms performed 1 and 6 months postoperative revealed no recurrence of thrombus formation. Aspirin was then stopped.

Discussion

Atrial thrombus is exceedingly rare in the neonate. On review of the available literature, most atrial thrombi are related to placement of central venous catheters or congenital heart disease.[2] This case is unusual in that the patient did not have a central catheter placed nor evidence of congenital heart disease. In this case, atrial thrombus was detected unexpectedly by echocardiogram that was ordered secondary to mild respiratory distress.

Another interesting observation in this case is that the initial echocardiogram findings were more consistent in location and appearance with a myxoma rather than a thrombus. The infant's echocardiogram demonstrated a large, pedunculated mobile mass with a narrow stalk attached to the left atrial septum at the level of the fossa ovalis, as is consistent with the typical appearance of myxoma tumors on echocardiogram.[8] Because of the location of the tumor and concerns for embolization, the decision was made to have it resected. On resection, cardiac pathology revealed a final diagnosis of a thrombus rather than atrial myxoma. Histopathology did not demonstrate the typical appearance of myxoma cells arranged singly, in cords, or in vasoformative ring structures with elongated, fusiform, or stellate cells.[8] Instead, histopathology revealed fibrin and red blood cells consistent with a left atrial mural thrombus. Scheffel et al performed a study that evaluated 23 adult patients with atrial myxomas and thrombi to compare distinguishing features of atrial myxomas versus thrombi using computed tomography and found size, shape, origin, mobility, and prolapse to be helpful features in distinguishing these two entities ([Table 1]).[9]

Table 1 Comparison of imaging features on CT of atrial myxomas and thrombi compiled by Scheffel et al[9]

Characteristic	Myxoma	Thrombi
Mean size, mm	33.0 ± 16.4	21.2 ± 7.3
Shape	Some polypoid, some villous	Polypoid, no villous
Origin	Fossa ovalis, interatrial septum, posterior or lateral wall	Left atrial appendage, posterior or lateral wall
Mobility	More mobile	Less mobile
Prolapse	Prolapse	No prolapse

Also notable in this case was that work-up for hypercoagulability as a possible underlying etiology for neonatal atrial thrombus was largely negative. However, this particular neonate did have a mildly elevated homocysteine value of 18 µmol/L. Normal neonatal laboratory range for homocysteine is approximated from 2.5 to 12.5 µmol/L. The clinical significance of this mild elevation is unclear at this time; hematology deemed this value “equivocal” and recommended a follow-up homocysteine level. Prior study performed by Kenet et al used a value of homocysteine > 15 µmol/L in their investigation of thrombophilia and neonatal complications, but they did not find any association between values deemed as “thrombophilic” and preterm infant complications.[10]

This report underscores the importance of identification, search for etiology, and prompt therapy to prevent potential catastrophic outcomes. In this case, heparin drip, cardiothoracic resection of the atrial mass followed by long-term aspirin therapy was effective and provided good outcome for this patient. Similar treatment in the hands of an experienced team may be of use for future patients who present in a similar manner.

Funding

No external funding was received for this article.

Financial Disclosure

None.

Contributions

Dr. Sheen made substantial contributions to designing the case report and wrote the first draft of the article. Drs. Kim and Parham revised the article. Drs. Lakshmanan and De Oliveira made substantial contributions in designing the case report and critically revising the article. All the authors reviewed and approved the final version of the article.

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