[Thrombi in the left atrial appendage in mitral defects despite adequate anticoagulation. The advantages of transesophageal echocardiography].

Thrombi in the left atrium are a frequent complication of mitral valve disease accompanied by left atrial enlargement. It is often difficult to recognize abnormal structures in this area with sufficient reliability by conventional transthoracic cross-sectional (2-D) echocardiography. Diagnosis is almost impossible with thrombi in the left atrial appendage. Transesophageal echocardiography presents a useful alternative. By this means thrombi in the left atrial appendage were diagnosed in seven of 24 patients with mitral stenosis on adequate anticoagulation, transthoracic 2-D echocardiography having given negative results. At subsequent valve replacement the results of transthoracic echocardiography were confirmed in all cases.