Pulmonary Embolism from In Situ Right Atrial Thrombus after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Abstract Pulmonary embolism after cardiac surgery is attributed to embolization from thrombus within the deep venous system. We report two cases of pulmonary embolism after coronary artery bypass surgery in which transesophageal echocardiography detected in situ right atrial thrombus. The right atrium should be screened for thrombus in patients who have pulmonary embolism after cardiac surgery. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 1997;10:760-2)