[Left atrial thrombus simulating mitral stenosis].
The most common etiology of atrial mass, a rare disorder, is thrombosis. However, tumors, vegetations and fibrosis may also be responsible. Today, 2-dimensional echocardiography is the primary imaging technique for screening patients with a suspected cardiac mass. We describe a 66-year-old woman with chronic atrial fibrillation who was being treated with an anticoagulant for a year. A left atrial thrombus, which produced signs simulating those of mitral stenosis became dislodged and obstructed the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery. She did not survive operation.