Left Ventricular Thrombus in the Setting of Normal Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Crohn's Disease

Ravi Rasalingam1, Ibrahim M Saeed2,3, Pamela K Woodard4

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Boston Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.

Insights

Crohn's disease can cause blood clots, but cardiac involvement is rare. This study highlights two cases where left ventricular apical thrombus occurred without typical heart abnormalities in Crohn's patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Crohn's disease is associated with a hypercoagulable state, increasing risks of thromboembolism.
  • Cardiac involvement in Crohn's disease is not commonly recognized or routinely screened for.

Observation:

  • Two cases of Crohn's disease patients with left ventricular apical thrombus are presented.
  • These patients did not exhibit the typical echocardiographic findings associated with left ventricular thrombus.

Findings:

  • Left ventricular apical thrombi can occur in Crohn's disease patients without reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.
  • The presence of left ventricular apical thrombus in Crohn's disease may not correlate with wall motion abnormalities.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider cardiac evaluation in Crohn's disease patients presenting with thromboembolic events.
  • This finding challenges the established association between left ventricular apical thrombus and cardiac dysfunction.

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