Open AccessRole of Echocardiography in the Assessment of Left Ventricular Thrombus Embolic Potential After Anterior Acute Myocardial Infarction
Author(s) -
Domenicucci Stefano,
Chiarella Francesco,
Bellone Pietro
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
congestive heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1751-7133
pISSN - 1527-5299
DOI - 10.1111/j.1527-5299.2001.00268.x
Subject(s) - medicine , left ventricular thrombus , thrombolysis , cardiology , myocardial infarction , thrombus , infarction , embolism
The contribution of cardiac ultrasound in assessment of the embolic potential of left ventricular thrombi after anterior acute myocardial infarction was verified in a prospective study of serial echocardiograms (mean, 18.9 examinations per patient) obtained over a long‐term period (1–72 months; mean, 38±12). The study population comprised 222 patients (162 men; age, 64±11 years) with a first anterior acute myocardial infarction, treated with thrombolysis (group A) or receiving no antithrombolic therapy (group B). Embolism occurred in a total of 12 patients (11 with a left ventricular thrombus; p< 0.005) and was more frequent in group B (10 patients; p< 0.04). Predictors of embolism were the absence of thrombolysis, detection of a left ventricular thrombus, protrusion or mobility of the thrombus, and morphologic changes in the thrombus over time. Patients in group A had a lower incidence of each of these predictors, and a higher thrombus resolution rate. An appropriate echocardiographic protocol is crucial to assessment of the embolic potential of left ventricular thrombi after anterior acute myocardial infarction and may help to identify candidates for aggressive antithrombotic therapy.