Thrombocytopenia induced by giant atrial thrombus in rheumatic valve disease

A 48-year-old man with no previous medical history presented with congestion signs and rapid atrial fibrillation. There was evidence of thrombocytopenia (16,000/mcl) and moderate elevation of transaminases. An abdominal echography showed no liver alterations and no splenomegaly. A thoracic CT scan revealed a giant left atrial mass with pulmonary vein infiltration (Fig. 1a). Transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed this finding and showed rheumatic mitral valve stenosis (Fig. 1b). The patient underwent bioprosthetic valve implantation and removal of the giant thrombus. The platelet count progressively increased achieving normal levels one week after surgery.

Mitral stenosis increases blood stasis, representing a major risk factor for left atrial clot formation [1, 2]. Severe thrombocytopenia, in the absence of heparin treatment or major hepatic dysfunction, could be explained by ‘acute thrombosis-associated thrombocytopenia’ [3]. Hypothesis suggested that large fresh clots consume platelets on their surface, likely due to the exudation of thromboplastic substances. This process can be regarded as a form of disseminated intravascular coagulation [4, 5].