RIGHT ATRIAL THROMBUS COMPLICATING VENTRI CULOATRIAL SHUNT - ECHOCARDIOGRAPHICAL DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL-TREATMENT

Right atrial thrombi are rare, but potentially life-threatening compli cations of ventriculoatrial shunts. We report on a 4.6 year old girl, presenting with signs of subacute valve malfunction; in her cerebrospi nal fluid koagulase-negative staphylococcus could be cultured, and the CF protein was elevated. Bidimensional echocardiography demonstrated a large thrombus on the distal part of the shunt. The thrombus protrud ed into the right ventricle during diastole. The child underwent cardi otomy and thrombectomy. Discussion:The reported case emphasizes the ne cessarity of echocardiographic followup of all patients with ventricul oatrial shunts.