Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

84.2K

Treatment of Left Ventricular Thrombus With Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Retrospective Observational Study

Raviteja R Guddeti1, Muhammad Anwar2, Ryan W Walters3

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases.

The American Journal of Medicine
|June 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) showed similar safety and efficacy for treating left ventricular thrombus. Both treatments resulted in comparable rates of stroke, bleeding, and thrombus resolution in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Limited data exists on the effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for left ventricular thrombus (LVT).
  • Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are currently the standard oral anticoagulant treatment for LVT.
  • This study investigates the safety and efficacy of DOACs compared to VKAs in LVT patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the safety and efficacy of DOACs versus VKAs in patients with newly diagnosed left ventricular thrombus.
  • To evaluate outcomes including ischemic stroke, bleeding events, and echocardiographic resolution of LVT.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 99 patients diagnosed with LVT between January 2012 and March 2019.
  • Patients were divided into two groups: VKA (n=80) and DOAC (n=19).
  • Outcomes were compared over a 1-year follow-up period, including stroke, bleeding, and LVT resolution via echocardiogram.

Main Results:

  • No strokes occurred in the DOAC group, compared to 2 in the VKA group (P=0.49).
  • Bleeding events were similar between groups (1 in DOAC, 4 in VKA; P=0.96).
  • Left ventricular thrombus resolution rates were comparable: 80% for DOACs and 81% for VKAs (P=0.9).

Conclusions:

  • DOACs and VKAs demonstrate similar rates of stroke and bleeding in patients with left ventricular thrombus.
  • These findings suggest DOACs may be a viable alternative to VKAs for LVT treatment.
  • Further confirmation through randomized clinical trials is warranted to solidify these results.
Abstract

Keywords:
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)Left ventricular thrombusVitamin K antagonists (VKAs)

More Related Videos

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

33.8K
A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis10:26

A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Published on: June 2, 2015

17.7K

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...
193
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
1.8K
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...
165
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...
1.4K
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...
201
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
167