THE EFFECT OF BODY POSITION ON A FREE-FLOATING BALL THROMBUS AS OBSERVED BY TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Two cases of free-floating left atrial ball thrombi (FLABT) in associa tion with mitral stenosis were observed by transesophageal echocardiog raphy (TEE). Our report describes the relation between body position a nd thrombi kinetics. Both cases demonstrated similar kinetics. In the supine and right lateral decubitus positions, the thrombi recoiled fro m and sometimes became entrapped within the mitral valve. In the sitti ng and left lateral decubitus positions, the thrombi appeared to be ne arly fixed and did not contact with the mitral valve. Our results indi cate that the latter two positions prevent thrombi disintegration and incarceration into the mitral valve. Finally, TEE is an extremely usef ul tool for assessing the safest position for individuals with FLABT.