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Published on: June 2, 2015
Resolution of a left ventricular thrombus by the thrombolytic action of dabigatran
Yasutsugu Nagamoto1, Tetsuya Shiomi, Taku Matsuura
1Division of Cardiology, Saga Prefectural Hospital Koseikan, 1-12-9, Mizugae, Saga city, 840-8571, Japan, sqopacificsouthern1978@yahoo.co.jp.
Insights
This study shows dabigatran effectively dissolved a pre-existing left ventricular thrombus in a patient with previous myocardial infarction. The treatment demonstrated a thrombolytic effect, resolving the intracardiac thrombus without causing thromboembolism.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- A 77-year-old male presented with abnormal electrocardiography findings.
- Preoperative evaluation revealed a left ventricular (LV) thrombus (14 x 12 mm) secondary to previous myocardial infarction with anteroseptal akinesis.
Observation:
- The patient was treated with dabigatran (220 mg/day) as an outpatient.
- Serial ultrasound echocardiography (UCG) and computed tomography (CT) were used for monitoring.
Findings:
- Complete resolution of the LV thrombus was confirmed by UCG and CT 27 days after initiating dabigatran.
- No thromboembolic events occurred during the treatment period.
Implications:
- Dabigatran exhibits a thrombolytic effect on acute, pre-existing intracardiac thrombi.
- This finding suggests a potential therapeutic role for dabigatran in managing LV thrombi.
Abstract:
A 77-year-old man was referred to our cardiovascular department for detailed examination after abnormal electrocardiography findings were obtained during a preoperative cataract surgery workup. Ultrasound echocardiography (UCG) and computed tomography (CT) revealed evidence of previous myocardial infarction with anteroseptal akinesis and a left ventricular (LV) thrombus (14 × 12 mm). Dabigatran (220 mg/day) was prescribed as an outpatient treatment, and the disappearance of the LV thrombus was confirmed by UCG and CT 27 days after dabigatran initiation. No thromboembolism occurred between treatment initiation and thrombus resolution. Our results indicate that dabigatran has thrombolytic action on an acute pre-existing intracardiac thrombus.
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