Objective: Left ventricular thrombus is a rare entity usually associated with myocardial infarction. The daVinci surgical system offers excellent visualization of the mitral subvalvular apparatus and should provide an effective means to excise a left ventricular mass.
Methods: A 34 year old male presented to an outside institution with fever of unknown origin and ulcerative colitis. As part of this work-up he underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram and subsequently transesophageal echocardiogram that documented a 2cm left ventricular apical pedunculated mass. He was referred to our institution for excision of this left ventricular mass. Due to the pedunculated nature of the mass, he was deemed a candidate for a robotic-assisted minimally invasive approach.
Results: The patient underwent successful robotic-assisted excision of a left ventricular mass. Total robotic time was 15 minutes. Pathology revealed that the mass was a left ventricular thrombus. The patient experienced an uneventful recovery and was discharged to home in 4 days.
Conclusions: Left ventricular mass excision can be safely performed with the daVinci surgical system. The daVinci surgical system offers excellent visualization of the entire left ventricular cavity.