Apical longitudinal strain can help predict the development of left ventricular thrombus after anterior myocardial infarction

Abstract Background: Left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation is a common complication of anterior myocardial infarction (ANT-MI). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between apical longitudinal strain (ALS) and LV apical thrombus after ANT-MI. Methods: The cross-sectional study included a total of 235 patients who were followed up after primary percutaneous coronary intervention performed for ANT-MI and had a reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (≤40%). Of these patients, 24 were excluded from the study, and the remaining 211 patients were included in the analysis. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence (n = 42) or absence (n = 169) of LV thrombus detected by echocardiography. ALS was measured using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Results: Thrombus was detected in 42 of 211 patients. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding age or gender. Apical strain (AS), global longitudinal strain (GLS), apical wall thickness (AWT), and EF were significantly lower in patients with LV apical thrombus when compared to those without LV apical thrombus (AS, –5.00 ± 2.30% vs. −8.54 ± 2.48%, p < 0.001; GLS, −10.6 ± 3.54% vs. −12.1 ± 2.84%, p = 0.013; AWT, 4.71 ± 1.11 vs. 6.33 ± 1.78 mm, p < 0.001; EF, 31.40 ± 4.10% vs. 37.75 ± 3.17%, p < 0.001). On univariate and multivariate analyses, aneurysm (AA), AS, and AWT were found to be independent predictors of LV apical thrombus (AA, odds ratio [OR] 4.649, p = 0.010; AS, OR 1.749, p < 0.001; AWT, OR 0.729, p = 0.042). Conclusion: ALS is highly sensitive and specific for predicting LV thrombus after ANT-MI. An early and accurate evaluation of LV thrombus may prevent embolic complications, particularly cerebrovascular events.

Pericarditis constrictiva: Causa de falla cardiaca en una paciente joven / Constrictive pericarditis: A cause of heart failure in a young patient

La pericarditis constrictiva es una causa de falla cardiaca derecha, que produce típicamente una alteración diastólica progresiva. Su corrección quirúrgica es posible con la pericardiectomía. La presentación en jóvenes y el compromiso importante de la función sistólica son escenarios infrecuentes. Se presenta el caso de una joven de 17 años con un cuadro de falla cardiaca congestiva. Los hallazgos de la ecocardiografía y resonancia cardiaca confirmaron el diagnóstico de pericarditis constrictiva. Se evidenció una disfunción sistólica con hipocinesia apical severa y con presencia de una masa a este nivel, compatible con trombo por la respuesta a anticoagulantes. La pericardiectomía se difirió por un alto riesgo operatorio y criterios de mal pronóstico por resonancia cardiaca. (AU)

Constrictive pericarditis is a cause of right heart failure that typically produces a progressive diastolic dysfunction. Pericardiectomy is the surgical indicated procedure. Presentation in young patients and systolic involvement are infrequent findings. We present the case of a 17-year-old female patient with congestive heart failure; findings of the heart ultrasound and magnetic resonance confirmed the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. Systolic dysfunction with severe apical hypokinesis and a mass like lesion compatible with a thrombus were observed. Pericardiectomy was deferred for the high surgical risk and for the bad prognostic findings on the magnetic resonance. (AU)

Totally Thoracoscopic Transatrial Thrombectomy in Two Patients with Left Ventricular Thrombus / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<p>Left ventricular thrombus is a complication of left ventricular dysfunction, including acute myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and severe valvular heart disease. Surgical removal should be considered when a thrombus is mobile, when thromboembolism occurs, and when cardiac function has the potential to improve. Two patients with left ventricular thrombus underwent totally thoracoscopic transatrial thrombectomy. A thrombus developed in the apex of the left ventricle after acute myocardial infarction in one patient (Case 1) and during treatment for congestive heart failure in the other (Case 2). The minimally-invasive transatrial approach requires no sternotomy or left ventriculotomy and is thus particularly beneficial for treating left ventricular dysfunction. Moreover, totally endoscopic surgery confers the advantage of a deep and narrow visual field. Therefore, we consider that this strategy is highly effective for treating left ventricular thrombus.</p>

Major Trauma induced Left Ventricular Thrombus after Acute Myocardial Infarction

Left Ventricular Thrombus (LVT) formation after acute myocardial infarction is a serious complication. And the most feared complication of LVT is the systemic thromboembolic events, especially to the brain. Nowadays patients with acute myocardial infarction are treated with primary PCI and more aggressive anticoagulation therapies, resulting in the lower incidence of LVT. Early detection of LVT is very important, and echocardiography is the definitive test for detecting intracardiac thrombus. However, the need for serial echocardiography remains controversial. In this case report, we describe a 55-year-old man with major trauma induced LVT after acute myocardial infarction who underwent successful therapy.

Comparative Study of Rivaroxaban and Warfarin for Treating the Patients With Left Ventricular Thrombus / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To compare the safety and efifcacy of rivaroxaban and warfarin for treating the patients with left ventricular thrombus. Methods: A total of 31 patients with left ventricular thrombus were studied, the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups:Warfarin group, n=16, the patients initially received oral warfarin and low molecular weight heparin at (2.5-3) mg/day, when the INR value reached 2.0-3.0, heparin was stopped and warfarin was continued, the INR value was monitored every 3 days for 3 times, when INR value was stably kept at 2.0-3.0, it was then monitored for every 2 weeks. Rivaroxaban group,n=15, the patients received oral rivaroxaban at 10 mg twice a day. All patients were followed-up for 3 months, the thrombus remission time, new onset of thrombosis, embolism and bleeding events during treatment period were compared between 2 groups. Results: The patients’ age, gender, complication, size of thrombus and medication were similar between 2 groups. Compared with Warfarin group, Rivaroxaban group had the shorter thrombus remission time, (60.00±5.50)d vs (71.00±8.50) d,P0.05. Conclusion: Rivaroxaban had better effect than warfarin for treating the patients with left ventricular thrombus without increasing the risk of bleeding.

Surgical Removal of a Left Ventricular Thrombus Which Showed Morphologic Changes Over Time in a Patient with Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Although stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SCMP) is a reversible disease and the prognosis is usually excellent, several complications can occur and can result in fatal adverse events. The formation of left ventricular (LV) thrombus is one of these critical complications of SCMP. This report describes a case of SCMP complicated by formation of a LV thrombus that became increasingly mobile as LV contractility recovered, and for which surgical removal was performed. Here, we report a case of SCMP complicated by LV thrombus and review the literature regarding this topic.

Relationship of Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (MAPSE) to Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation.

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy is associated by radial and longitudinal contractile cardiac dysfunction. Left ventricular (LV) thrombus is a frequent finding in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The main purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) in LV thrombus formation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by assessing their correlation. Our additional objective was to compare the relationship of average MAPSE to relations of other LV features [LV size, LV ejection fraction (EF), wall motion score index (WMSI), sphericity index-width to length ratio (w/l) of the LV] and LV thrombus development. Material and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from October 2009 until January 2012 in 100 sinus rhythm patients with dilated cardiomyopathy without anticoagulation therapy. We excluded patients with: swallowing problems, acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation/flutter, severe systolic dysfunction, severe arterial hypertension, valvular disease, and/or mechanical valves. Results: Mean patient age was 58.1±12.7 years and 69% were men. Mean LV EF was 39.1±6.4%, while mean value of average MAPSE was 9.3±2.2mm. LV thrombus was detected in 14% of patients and its presence correlated well with: average MAPSE (r=-0.22, p=0.01), MAPSE of sepatal wall (r=-0.23, p=0.01), MAPSE of lateral wall (r=-0.2, p=0.02), MAPSE of inferior wall (r=-0.22, p=0.01), LV EF (r=-0.21, p=0.02), LV end diastolic diameter (r=0.24, p=0.008), LV end systolic diameter (r=0.31, p=0.0008), WMSI (r=0.22, p=0.01) and w/l (r=0.19, p=0.03). Conclusions: Longitudinal LV dysfunction is associated with LV thrombus formation, as average MAPSE demonstrates a negative correlation with LV thrombus, and its role is similar to LV size, LV EF, sphericity index and WMSI.

A Pedunculated Left Ventricular Thrombus in a Women with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Evaluation by Three Dimensional Echocardiography

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a cardiac condition characterized by development of heart failure during the last month of pregnancy or during the first five months of post partum period without any other identifiable cause of heart failure. The hypercoagulable state in the pregnancy along with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction predisposes the patient to thromboembolic complications like intraventricular thrombi. We report a case of a 30-year-old female with peripartum cardiomyopathy along with a highly mobile mass in the LV cavity on two dimensional echocardiography. Three dimensional transthoracic echocardiography clearly showed the pedicle of the mass attached to the interventricular septum along with internal echolucent areas within the mass. Due to denial of the patient to undergo surgery, she was started on oral anticoagulation, with complete dissolution of the mass within one month.

A Case of Surgical Removal of Left Ventricular Thrombus and Biventricular Pacing with Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 62-year-old man had suffered from massive pedal edema, dyspnea and sinus bradycardia for 10 days. He had been heavy drinker for over 20 years. He was transferred to our hospital with severe heart failure. Echocardiography showed severe diffuse hypokinesis of left ventricular wall motion (EF20%) with dyssynchrony, and thrombus in the left ventricular apex. Under a diagnosis of LV thrombus due to severe heart failure, we made a plan for an emergency open heart surgery, but it could not be performed because of initial cardiogenic embolic stroke. Therefore, we waited for 2 weeks while performing anticoagulation therapy. The removal of LV thrombus and atrio-biventricular pacing for heart failure due to dyssynchrony were performed 2 weeks later. The pathological specimen of myocardium showed marked fibrous and hypertrophic change, which were similar to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy due to alcohol intake for many years is similar to a clinical image of dilated cardiomyopathy, but its clinical prognosis by abstinence is not bad. In this case we performed an urgent open heart surgery due to cardiogenic embolic stroke, but must be essentially performed as an emergency operation. Postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged 21 days after open heart surgery without any complications.

Removal of a Left Ventricular Thrombus Associated with Acute Myocarditis via Left Ventriculotomy / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 41-year-old man was referred to our hospital suffering from pyrexia. Echocardiogram showed diffuse severe hypokinesis of the left ventricle. The patient was treated medically under a diagnosis of acute myocarditis and anticoagulation therapy had been started. However a large mobile thrombus and multiple small thrombi were detected in the left ventricle 2 days after admission. Because of the deterioration of his left ventricular function (LVEF 14%), he was treated medically with careful monitoring of the thrombi by echocardiogram. His left ventricular function started to improve 3 days after admission (LVEF 27%), and then surgical removal of the thrombi was performed through left ventriculotomy. His postoperative course was uneventful. LVEF was improved to 60% at discharge. He is doing well without any signs of embolic event at 2 years postoperatively. Left ventriculotomy is one of the useful methods for removal of left ventricular thrombus associated with acute myocarditis, if the procedure is performed during the recovery phase.

A Case Report of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Induced Cardiomyopathy Complicated with Left Ventricular Thrombus

The heart and the brain, most oxygen-dependent organs, may be severely affected after carbon monoxide (CO) exposure. CO induced cardiotoxicity may occur as a consequence of moderate to severe CO poisoning, including angina attack, myocardial infarct, arrhythmias, and heart failure. We present a rare case of CO poisoning induced cardiomyopathy with left ventricular (LV) thrombus. It is thought that LV thrombus may have been caused severely decreased LV function with dyskinesis. After short-term anticoagulant therapy, echocardiography findings revealed complete recovery of LV dyskinesis and resolution of LV thrombus.

A Case of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Two Times Thromboembolism and Intraventricular Thrombus / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We present a rare case of a 59-year-old-man with a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) complicated with left ventricular thrombus. He was admitted to our hospital because of acute re-occlusion of the right brachial artery. Thrombectomy was performed and reperfusion was obtained. Anti-coagulation therapy was started from that day. Four days after surgery, echocardiography revealed mobile thrombus in left ventricular apical aneurysm that was not detected on admission. An emergency thrombectomy and left ventriculoplasty was performed. The patient was discharged 22 days after surgery in good condition.

Thrombolytic Therapy in the 8 Cases of left Ventricular Thrombus after Transmural Anterior Myocardial Infarction

The 8 cases of left ventricular thrombus detected by the 2 D echocardiography or left ventriculography, after acute transmural anterior myocardial infarction were effectively lysed by the thrombolytic agents and heparin therapy. The thrombolytic agents were either urokinase or tissue plasminogen activator. Urokinase was infused intravenously at a dose of 1.0 million unit for three days. And tissue plasminogen activator was infused at a dose of 100mg for a day. In all cases, the thrombi were completely lysed. At follow up, no recurrence of left ventricular thrombus was found. We have experienced 2 cases of peripheral embolization in which, left ventricular thrombi were protruding nonmobile type. The one was the embolic cerebral infarction, the other was transient hoarseness and paresthesia on the left foot, which may be transient ischemic attack. These results show that left ventricular thrombi can be treated by intravenous thrombolytic agents without life-threatening complication. However, for the better establishment of the risk and benefit of therapy further investigation is needed.

A Case of Huge Left Ventricular Thrombus Associated with Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Cardiac manifestations of hypereosinophilic syndrome rarely include left ventricular thrombosis leading to peripheral emboli. And the cases of thrombectomy in patients with left ventricular thrombus and hypereosinophilic syndrome are extremely rare. Recently we experienced a 58-years-old woman with hypereosinophilic syndrome, the history of thalamic infarction and a huge thrombi in left ventricle. We report this case with literatures.

Incidence of Left Ventricular Thrombus after Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular thrombus is a common complication after acute myocardial infarction. Methods and RESULTS: To Study the incidence of left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) after acute myocardial infarction, we performed serial two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-Echo) in 35 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction prospectively ; 10 patients had inferior wall myocardial infarction, 25 patients had anterior wall myocardial infarction. 2D-Echo was obtained within 3 days of acute myocardial infarction, at 4-10 days after symptom onset, and 2-4 weeks after symptom onset serially in each case. 19 out of 35 patients received thrombolytic therapy with urokinase. Left ventricular thrombi were identified in 9(25.7%) of the 35 study patients. The location of myocardial infarction was anterior and apical in all cases with left ventricular thrombi. The shape of thrombi was mural in 6 cases and protruding in 3 cases. The incidence of left ventricular thrombi in patients who received urokinase was not significantly different from that in patients who didn't(31.9% vs 18.8%,p=0.22). Wall motion score was significantly higher in patients who developed left ventricular thrombi than in patients who had no left ventricular thrombus(8.2+/-1.9 vs 5.8+/-2.6, p<0.005). All thrombi appeared within 10 days after myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Thus left ventricular thrombi develops within 10 days following myocardial infarction with large anterior and apical location. The thrombolysis therapy has no effect in the incidence of left ventricular thrombi in this study. But because of confounding effect of thrombolysis and location of myocardial infarction and extent of myocardial infarction, further investigation is needed.