Case report of a 'snake thrombus' in the right heart: a rare finding on echocardiography

Case Report: A Mysterious Giant Thrombus in the Right Atrium in a Patient With Dilated Cardiomyopathy

An isolated right atrial thrombus is a life-threatening entity that is extremely rare in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is characterized by a reduced left ventricular function and consequent left ventricular thrombosis. Here, we present the case of a mysterious isolated giant right atrial thrombus in a male patient with DCM. The presence of deep vein thrombosis prompted us to investigate for other underlying diseases for his right atrial thrombus. Interestingly, the elevation of two tumor markers indicated the likelihood of cancer-associated thrombosis. Further, the computed tomography demonstrated a spiculated mass in the lower right lung that was confirmed by an endobronchial biopsy as lung squamous cell carcinoma. Consequently, the giant thrombus in the right atrium should be attributed principally to lung squamous cell carcinoma on the background of DCM. After 3 weeks of enoxaparin, the echocardiogram indicated partial resolution of the thrombus. However, the patient suffered sudden death due to pulmonary embolism.