A man in his 50s was referred for increasing breathlessness over the last few weeks (no chest pain, cough or fever), to “exclude recurrent PE”
Left Ventricle Thrombus
Ultrasound Findings
There is an echogenic mass seen at the apex of the left ventricle which was mobile. The apex was akinetic and overall LV function poor.
Conclusion
Poor LV function. Apical thrombus
Learning Point
Ultrasound is useful in investigating breathlessness, by looking at the lung and the heart (and occasionally other organs). Do remember that normal systolic function does not exclude heart failure (at least half of cases are due to diastolic dysfunction).