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Published on: June 11, 2019
Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation in a Structurally and Functionally Normal Heart: A Case Report and Literature
Nouraldeen Manasrah1,2, Anas Abdel-Qader1,2, Ali Al Sbihi1,2
1DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital, MI, USA.
Insights
Left ventricular (LV) thrombi are rare in patients with normal heart function. This case highlights an unusual presentation of LV thrombus in a healthy woman, leading to acute aortoiliac embolism.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Left ventricular (LV) thrombus is typically associated with myocardial infarction (MI) or dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Hypercoagulable states can also predispose individuals to LV thrombus formation.
- LV thrombi in the context of preserved LV systolic function are exceptionally uncommon.
Observation:
- A case study of a previously healthy woman is presented.
- The patient exhibited an LV thrombus.
- Crucially, the patient maintained normal LV systolic function.
Findings:
- The LV thrombus in this patient, despite normal cardiac function, manifested as an acute aortoiliac embolism.
- This presentation challenges the typical understanding of LV thrombus etiology and clinical presentation.
- The case underscores the potential for LV thrombus to cause embolic events even without overt cardiac dysfunction.
Implications:
- This case expands the differential diagnosis for acute aortoiliac embolism.
- It suggests that LV thrombus should be considered in younger, otherwise healthy individuals presenting with embolic events, irrespective of cardiac function.
- Further research may be warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms leading to LV thrombus formation in normofunctional ventricles.
Abstract:
Left ventricular (LV) thrombosis usually occurs as a complication of acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) and dilated cardiomyopathy. It also occurs in patients with a hypercoagulable state. However, in the setting of normal systolic function, LV thrombi are extremely rare. We present a case of a healthy woman who had LV thrombus despite normal LV systolic function that presented as an acute aortoiliac embolism.
