Diagnose and surgical treatment for rheumatic heart valvular disease combined with left atrial thrombus

Objective To investigate the experience on surgical management and diagnose of left atrial thrombus in patients with rheumatic heart valve disease.Methods 97 patients with rheumatic heart valvular disease combined with left atrial thrombus were treated surgically from January 2002 to November 2009.The elimination of left atrial thrombus was performed in all patients..Results The survivors were followed up for 2 months to 6 years.Their heart function improved and arterial embolization was not found.Conclusion Careful perioperative management,correcting diagnosis,complete elimination of thrombus and reasonable anticoagulation can avoid the arterial embolization and decrease the mortality.