Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 5, 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

11.4K

Incidence, diagnostic methods, and evolution of left ventricular thrombus in patients with anterior myocardial

Philippe Meurin1, Virginie Brandao Carreira2, Raphaelle Dumaine1

  • 1Centre de Réadaptation cardiaque de la Brie Les Grands Prés, 27 rue Sainte Christine, Villeneuve Saint Denis, France.

American Heart Journal
|August 25, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Left ventricular thrombi are common after anterior myocardial infarction (ant-MI) with systolic dysfunction. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) accurately detects these thrombi, which often resolve with antithrombotic therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation is a significant complication following anterior myocardial infarction (ant-MI) in patients with LV systolic dysfunction.
  • Early identification and monitoring of LV thrombi are crucial for effective management and prevention of embolic events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and evolution of LV thrombi in high-risk patients post-ant-MI.
  • To compare the diagnostic accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with contrast-delayed enhancement (CMR-DE) for LV thrombi detection.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of 100 patients with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% within 7 days of ant-MI.
  • Serial assessments using TTE and CMR-DE (performed by blinded examiners) at 30 days post-MI.
  • A third TTE and clinical status evaluation between 6 and 12 months post-MI.

Main Results:

  • LV thrombi were detected in 26% of patients, with a median detection time of 12 days post-MI.
  • TTE demonstrated high sensitivity (94.7%) and specificity (98.5%) for LV thrombi detection compared to CMR-DE.
  • The majority of thrombi (92.3%) resolved following triple antithrombotic therapy.

Conclusions:

  • LV thrombus is a frequent complication in patients with systolic dysfunction after ant-MI.
  • TTE is a highly accurate imaging modality for detecting LV thrombi when specifically indicated.
  • Optimal antithrombotic strategies for LV thrombi require further investigation.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Transthoracic Echocardiography to Assess Post-Resuscitation Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Arrest in Pigs08:19

Transthoracic Echocardiography to Assess Post-Resuscitation Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Arrest in Pigs

Published on: July 12, 2022

3.7K
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure07:41

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure

Published on: February 8, 2022

4.5K

Related Concept Videos

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
455
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...
1.2K
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
439
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
462
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
919
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
1.0K