Transaortic Extraction of Left Ventricular Thrombus

Left ventricular thrombi may complicate acute myocardial infarction, and anticoagulation is the mainstay of management. Surgical thrombectomy may be considered in some patients with a perceived high risk for thromboembolism if there is another indication for urgent cardiac surgery. A 43-year-old diabetic man presented with a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and an acute left ventricular thrombus. He had a transaortic thrombectomy and coronary artery bypass graft. The usual approach for surgical thrombectomy is left ventriculotomy. This however may cause deterioration of left ventricular function. A left atrial approach has also been described but access may be challenging. A video-assisted transaortic left ventriculoscopy combines excellent visualization provided by the endoscope and avoidance of a left ventriculotomy. Surgical thrombectomy may be beneficial in a select group of patients with acute left ventricular thrombus. A video-assisted transaortic approach provides excellent access and visualization in these patients.