Korean Circ J.  2019 Sep;49(9):829-837. 10.4070/kcj.2018.0346.

Shape and Mobility of a Left Ventricular Thrombus Are Predictors of Thrombus Resolution

• Oh JK
• Park JH
• Lee JH
• Kim J
• Seong IW

• KMID: 2455788
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2018.0346

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Left ventricular (LV) apical thrombi are usually present with LV dilatation, and oral anticoagulants reduce embolic risk in these patients. However, echocardiographic data regarding thrombus resolution remain limited. We studied its echocardiographic features that were associated with early resolution (within 1 month).
METHODS
We performed a retrospective observational study by reviewing baseline and follow-up echocardiographic images and medical records in patients with LV apical thrombi.
RESULTS
Between January 2005 and December 2017, 77 patients (59 males, mean 61±12 years old) were enrolled. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on duration of thrombus resolution: group 1 showing resolution within 1 month (n=23) and group 2 with persistence after 1 month (n=54). Thrombus size was significantly smaller in group 1 (10.7±4.2 vs. 12.1±5.5 mm, p=0.046). Grade 1 mobility (partially mobile; odds ratio [OR], 7.800; p=0.012) and grade 2 mobility (highly mobile; OR, 14.625; p=0.002) were significantly associated with the early resolution. Round thrombi were associated with early resolution than mural form (OR, 3.187; p=0.026). Multivariate analysis showed that the mobility was the most important parameter, and a highly mobile (grade 2 mobility) LV apical thrombi showed earlier resolution (OR, 12.525; p=0.013). During the follow-up over 62±44 months, 25 patients (32.5%) had ≥1 adverse clinical events. The late resolution of thrombi was associated with poor long-term clinical outcomes (hazard ratio, 5.727; p=0.020).
CONCLUSIONS
Mobility of LV apical thrombi was the most important parameter associated with early thrombus resolution. Late resolution of LV apical thrombi was associated with poor long-term clinical outcomes.

Keyword

Thrombus; Left ventricle; Anticoagulants; Embolism

MeSH Terms

Anticoagulants
Dilatation
Echocardiography
Embolism
Follow-Up Studies
Heart Ventricles
Humans
Male
Medical Records
Multivariate Analysis
Observational Study
Odds Ratio
Retrospective Studies
Thrombosis*
Anticoagulants

Figure

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  Figure 1 Flow diagram of this study.

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