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Clinical and Echocardiographic Factors Associated With Left Ventricular Thrombus Recurrence
Kirsten M Lipps1, Hossam Elbenawi2, Samuel Heller3
1Division of Vascular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Insights
Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) recurrence affects oral anticoagulation decisions. Recurrence was linked to LV apical aneurysm and prior stroke, while higher LV ejection fraction and continued OAC reduced risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) recurrence risk is crucial for determining oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy duration.
- Understanding factors influencing LVT recurrence is essential for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the risk of LVT recurrence in patients with resolved LVT.
- To identify clinical and echocardiographic factors associated with LVT recurrence.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, retrospective cohort study of patients with resolved LVT diagnosed via echocardiography.
- Evaluation of clinical and echocardiographic data at LVT diagnosis and resolution.
- Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to determine recurrence predictors.
Main Results:
- LVT recurred in 14.3% of 252 patients.
- Recurrent LVT was associated with lower LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV apical aneurysm at resolution.
- Continued OAC post-resolution significantly reduced recurrence rates (54.7% vs 25.0%).
- Independent predictors of recurrence included LV apical aneurysm and prior ischemic stroke.
- Higher LVEF and OAC continuation were protective against recurrence.
Conclusions:
- LVT recurrence occurred in 14% of patients, influenced by echocardiographic findings at resolution.
- LV apical aneurysm and prior stroke increased recurrence risk.
- Higher LVEF and continued OAC were associated with decreased LVT recurrence, guiding OAC duration decisions.
Background:
Left ventricular (LV) thrombus (LVT) recurrence risk influences decision-making regarding oral anticoagulation (OAC) duration.
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to evaluate risk of LVT recurrence and factors associated with recurrence.
Methods:
This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort of patients with resolved LVT, diagnosed by echocardiography. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics at LVT diagnosis and resolution were evaluated for association with recurrence. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify determinants of LVT recurrence.
Results:
Among 252 patients (mean age 64.5 years, 78.6% male), LVT recurred in 36 (14.3%). Although LV systolic function at the time of presentation was similar between those with and without recurrence, patients who developed recurrent LVT had lower LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (34.0% vs 40.0%; P = 0.04) and more frequently had LV apical aneurysm (25.0% vs 6.5%; P = 0.001) at LVT resolution. Continuing OAC after LVT resolution was associated with less recurrence (54.7% vs 25.0%; P = 0.005). In multivariable analysis, LV apical aneurysm (HR: 3.12; 95% CI: 1.43 to 6.84) and previous ischemic stroke (HR: 2.75; 95% CI: 1.22-6.17) were associated with higher rates of recurrence, whereas higher LVEF (HR: 0.96 per 1% increase; 95% CI: 0.95-0.99) and OAC continuation (HR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.13-0.58) were associated with decreased recurrence.
Conclusions:
In this population, LVT recurred in 14% of patients and was associated with LV apical aneurysm and prior stroke, whereas lower rates of recurrence were associated with higher LVEF and continuation of OAC. Echocardiographic characteristics at the time of LVT resolution were associated with LVT recurrence.
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