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Delineation of an Octopus‐Like Thrombus Attached to the Eustachian Valve
Author(s) -
Kalcik Macit,
Toprak Cüneyt,
Ozan Gursoy M.,
Yesin Mahmut,
Ocal Lutfi,
Eren Hayati,
Özkan Mehmet
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
echocardiography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1540-8175
pISSN - 0742-2822
DOI - 10.1111/echo.12491
Subject(s) - thrombus , foramen ovale (heart) , medicine , patent foramen ovale , octopus (software) , anatomy , inferior vena cava , cardiology , embolism , physics , quantum mechanics , migraine
Eustachian valve ( EV ) is a vestige of the valve of the inferior vena cava which directs the umbilical vein blood through open foramen ovale in fetal life. Following birth it gradually regresses, but it may persist in variable size, shape, and thickness as a functionless and benign structure. However, there are reports suggesting that persistent EV may not be completely innocent. It has been accused of being a predisposing cause of patent foramen ovale and paradoxical embolism and also interfering with transseptal interventional procedures. It may serve as a site of infective vegetations and be mistaken as a tumor or thrombus. In the present case, an octopus‐like thrombus attached to the EV was delineated with the utility of two‐dimensional and real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. EV was considered to play an essential role in preventing potential pulmonary embolism.