[Detection of left ventricular thrombi by echotomography and computed tomography (author's transl)]

Left ventricular (LV) thrombi are rarely recognized during life, though they are not infrequent at the post-mortem examination of patients succumbed to valvular disease, acute myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathy. We presented five cases in which LV thrombi were detected by cross-sectional echocardiography (CSE) and confirmed by computed tomography. The main purpose of this study was to compare the echocardiographic findings of the LV thrombi with the manifestations of the LV thrombi on the computed tomograms, with a hope to augment the clinical utility of CSE in the detection of LV thrombi. CSE was recorded from the apical and four-chamber views in addition to the conventional approach. A computed tomographic whole-body scanner which utilized a continuously rotating gantry and pulsed anode with X-ray radiation collimated to form a thin fan-shaped beam was used. A complete section scan was performed in 3 seconds. Sustained enhancement was obtained with a rapid intravenous infusion of 30% meglumine iothalanate. Most of the LV thrombi showed an abnormal echo with irregular borders and/or a mobile mass echo at the apex by CSE. Computed tomographic findings suggestive of LV thrombi appeared as a defect, which was apparently different in quality from the surrounding myocardium or valvular apparatus. These findings were quite consistent with those of CSE with respect to the number and the location of the LV thrombi. Consequently, it may be concluded that CSE is a useful adjunct in the detection of LV thrombi and an additional use of computed tomograph will certainly open up a promising way to make the secure diagnosis of LV thrombi.