Intracardiac thrombi and systemic embolization

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Updated: Oct 23, 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

R S Meltzer, C A Visser, V Fuster

    Annals of Internal Medicine
    |May 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Echocardiography aids in diagnosing intracardiac thrombi. Anticoagulants reduce thrombi and emboli in myocardial infarction and dilated cardiomyopathy, but not typically in left ventricular aneurysm.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Medical Imaging

    Background:

    • Intracardiac thrombi are diagnosed and their natural history traced using echocardiography.
    • Left ventricular thrombi are associated with acute myocardial infarction, left ventricular aneurysm, and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, leading to emboli.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the role of echocardiography in diagnosing left ventricular thrombi.
    • To assess the efficacy of anticoagulation in preventing emboli in different clinical conditions.

    Main Methods:

    • Echocardiographic studies were reviewed.
    • Clinical outcomes related to left ventricular thrombi and anticoagulation were analyzed.

    Main Results:

    • One-third of patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction have left ventricular thrombi; anticoagulation decreases thrombi and emboli.
    • Protruding and mobile thrombi are more likely to embolize.
    • Anticoagulation is recommended for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, irrespective of thrombus location.
    • Anticoagulation is not sufficiently indicated for chronic left ventricular aneurysm, despite common thrombus presence.

    Conclusions:

    • Echocardiography is crucial for identifying intracardiac thrombi and guiding treatment.
    • Anticoagulation is beneficial in acute myocardial infarction and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
    • The role of anticoagulation in left ventricular aneurysm requires further investigation.

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