Published online Sep 16, 2015. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i9.831
Peer-review started: January 7, 2015
First decision: March 6, 2015
Revised: March 30, 2015
Accepted: June 15, 2015
Article in press: June 16, 2015
Published online: September 16, 2015
Coumadin ridge is a normal anatomic variant that is occasionally found in the left atrium. It can present as a linear or nodular mass which can undulate with cardiac motion and if particularly prominent, can easily be mistaken for a tumor or thrombus. Careful evaluation and consideration of the common variants discussed in this review can help limit misdiagnosis, as well as unnecessary workup and treatment. We present a case of coumadin ridge that was found on a patient using two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.
Core tip: As we improve imaging modalities, normal anatomic variants of the heart are coming to our attention more frequently. Coumadin ridge is an example of such a variant that is occasionally found on various imaging modalities of the heart, including transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac magnetic imaging, among others. Coumadin ridge is a term that refers to a part of the left atrium that lies between the left atrial appendage and the left superior pulmonary vein. Since this is a not a common finding, and due to its shape and location, it has the potential of being misdiagnosed as a left atrial myoxma or thrombus.