Usefulness of high-dose anticoagulants in preventing left ventricular thrombus in acute myocardial infarction

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

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

J E Nordrehaug, K A Johannessen, G von der Lippe

    The American Journal of Cardiology
    |June 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Early anticoagulation therapy significantly reduced left ventricular thrombus formation in patients with anterior wall acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This intervention, using heparin and warfarin, proved safe and effective in preventing thrombus development.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Internal Medicine
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Anterior wall acute myocardial infarction (AMI) carries a risk of left ventricular thrombus formation.
    • Effective preventative strategies for left ventricular thrombus in AMI patients are crucial.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the efficacy of early anticoagulation in preventing left ventricular thrombus in patients with anterior wall AMI.

    Main Methods:

    • A randomized controlled trial involving 53 patients with suspected first anterior wall AMI.
    • Patients received either intravenous heparin followed by oral warfarin or a placebo for 10 days.
    • Serial 2-dimensional echocardiography was used to detect left ventricular thrombus.

    Main Results:

    • Left ventricular thrombus developed in 7 out of 27 patients in the placebo group.
    • No left ventricular thrombus was detected in any of the 26 patients in the anticoagulant group.
    • No bleeding episodes were reported in either group.

    Conclusions:

    • Early intervention with high-dose anticoagulants (heparin and warfarin) is effective in preventing left ventricular thrombus formation in anterior wall AMI.
    • Anticoagulation therapy demonstrated a favorable safety profile in this patient cohort.

    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

    Postconditioning with Lactate-enriched Blood for Cardioprotection in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction05:26

    Postconditioning with Lactate-enriched Blood for Cardioprotection in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

    Published on: May 28, 2019

    Related Concept Videos

    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...
    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...
    Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors01:20

    Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors

    Antiplatelet drugs emerge as frontline defenders against the insidious threat of thromboembolic diseases, where abnormal clots obstruct vital blood vessels. These drugs stand as bulwarks, inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation, thereby mitigating the risk of life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombotic strokes.
    Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
    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...
    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...
    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...