Methods
A single center retrospective study was performed. This study was
approved by our institutional review board (STU00212587).
Echocardiography reporting software Syngo (Siemens Healthineers,
Erlangen, Germany) was utilized to identify all TTEs between October 1,
2018 and January 1, 2020 in which a venous catheter was visualized in
the right atrium of the heart. Structured data fields are routinely
utilized by our sonographers and echocardiographers. Each study was then
reviewed in detail to determine presence of suspected RAT. The
electronic medical record was reviewed to obtain demographic data and
past medical history including malignancy, cardiovascular disease
history, previous deep vein thromboses and thromboembolic events, and
kidney disease. Laboratory values for platelets and international
normalized ratio (INR) were collected when available on or shortly
before the day of thrombus discovery. Details regarding the indication
for the catheter as well as type, date of insertion, and location on
imaging were acquired. Characteristics of the thrombus including size
and attachment to the atrial wall or catheter were collected.
Furthermore, subsequent imaging and management including thrombectomy,
initiation of anticoagulation, and adjustment, removal, and replacement
of the catheter were reviewed. Outcome was examined by determining
whether the thrombus resolved on follow-up imaging and by recording any
embolic events attributed to the right atrial thrombus.