Resolution of a large left ventricular thrombus with anticoagulation alone

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
06:29

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

Published on: June 11, 2019

Syed-Mehdi H Zaidi1, Tarig S Al-Khuwaitir, Bashir A Wani

  • 1Departments of Cardiology, Riyadh Medical Complex, Riyadh,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.. Syedmehdi5@hotmail.com

Saudi Medical Journal
|September 13, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Dilated cardiomyopathy can lead to dangerous heart thrombi. This case shows a large left ventricular thrombus successfully treated with anticoagulation alone, avoiding invasive procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy is linked to left ventricular dysfunction, increasing the risk of intracardiac thrombus formation.
  • Left ventricular thrombi pose an embolic risk, potentially leading to severe complications.
  • Current management strategies for left ventricular thrombi remain a subject of debate.

Observation:

  • A case involving an unusually large left ventricular thrombus was observed.
  • The thrombus was associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction.

Findings:

  • The large left ventricular thrombus demonstrated complete resolution following anticoagulation therapy.
  • No invasive interventions were required for thrombus management.

Implications:

  • Conservative management with anticoagulation may be a viable option for select cases of large left ventricular thrombi.
  • This approach could potentially help patients avoid more invasive and risky procedures.
  • Further research is warranted to establish definitive guidelines for managing left ventricular thrombi.

Related Concept Videos

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction01:30

Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction

Venous thrombosis, the most common disorder of the veins, involves the formation of a thrombus or blood clot associated with vein inflammation. It can be classified as either superficial vein thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis.Superficial Vein Thrombosis: This involves the formation of a thrombus in a superficial vein, usually the greater or lesser saphenous vein. Though less severe than deep vein thrombosis (DVT), SVT can lead to complications if untreated.Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This...
Mitral Regurgitation III: Medical Management01:25

Mitral Regurgitation III: Medical Management

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is characterized by retrograde blood circulation from the left ventricle into the left atrium due to inadequate mitral valve closure. The severity of the condition, symptoms, and underlying cause determine treatment strategies.Monitoring and Pharmacological TreatmentPatients with mild to moderate MR typically do not need immediate intervention but regular monitoring to assess progression and guide treatment. Patients with mild MR should have an echocardiogram every 3-5...
Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization01:24

Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization

Left heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the function and structure of the left side of the heart. It is generally performed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart defects.Diagnostic and therapeutic purposesLeft heart catheterization serves various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Assessing coronary artery bypass grafts.Evaluating coronary artery disease in...