Intra-cardiac thrombus in a preterm infant: a management conundrum

A case of a large intra-cardiac thrombosis in an extremely low birthweight preterm infant is presented. This thrombus was detected during an echocardiogram following a positive blood culture and a positive umbilical venous catheter tip culture. Striking a balance between reducing the risk factors for thrombosis versus the requirement for parenteral nutrition and central infusions through indwelling catheters in preterm infants is challenging. This case demonstrates the complexity of diagnosing and managing thrombosis in an extremely low birthweight preterm infant.

Gregory A., McAloon C.J., Venugopalan V.B.A., Sivakumar S.