Case Study of Biatrial Thrombus: Found Down With Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Biatrial thrombus is a rare condition that is typically associated with a patent foramen ovale (PFO). CASE REPORT: This is a case of a 75-year-old man with history of heavy alcohol use found down with altered sensorium. He was hypothermic and in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate and was subsequently found to have a biatrial thrombus with no evidence of PFO. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Biatrial thrombus presents the unique danger of progressing to both pulmonary embolus and acute embolic disease (including stroke); both are life-threatening diagnoses that can be prevented by means of identifying and treating this rare and dangerous condition.