Calcification of the Left Atrium

Abstract

CALCIFICATION of the left atrium has been identified in two anatomic locations. The more common location is a shell-like calcification in the subendocardial layer of this chamber. Such deposition of calcium may be patchy in distribution throughout the atrial wall or may diffusely envelop the entire atrial endothelium.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Less commonly the calcification actually lies in the bed of an organized thrombus that is densely adherent to the atrial endothelium.10 , 14 , 15 It is the small thrombi in the atrial appendage that most frequently calcify.10 Large thrombi rarely calcify. If they do, since they usually represent a many-layered clot, the calcification within them . . .