Free floating left atrial ball thrombus: a rare cause of stroke

In the setting of mitral valve stenosis and atrial fibrillation, left atrial ball thrombus is a rare but recognized cause of stroke and can occur even in the presence of therapeutic anticoagulation. This case report highlights the need for echocardiography to rule out treatable cardioembolic substrates for stroke. We report a case of cardioembolic stroke as a result of free floating left atrial ball thrombus presenting as a complication of rheumatic mitral valve disease. This case highlights that, in all patients with a history of structural heart disease, atrial fibrillation, or rheumatic fever, prompt cardiac ultrasound to exclude free floating atrial thrombus is essential.