Incidence of post myocardial infarction left ventricular thrombus formation in the era of primary percutaneous intervention and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. A prospective observational study

Authors

Arshad Rehan, St John Hospital and Medical Centre, Wayne State UniversityFollow
Manpreet Kanwar, St John Hospital and Medical Centre, Wayne State UniversityFollow
Howard Rosman, St John Hospital and Medical Centre, Wayne State UniversityFollow
Sujood Ahmed, St John Hospital and Medical Centre, Wayne State UniversityFollow
Arshad Ali, Guthrie Clinic SayreFollow
Julius Gardin, St John Hospital and Medical Centre, Wayne State UniversityFollow
Gerald Cohen, St John Hospital and Medical Centre, Wayne State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Abstract

Background

Before the widespread use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GP IIb/IIIa) left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation had been reported to complicate up to 20% of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI). The incidence of LV thrombus formation with these treatment modalities is not well known.

Methods

92 consecutive patients with ST-elevation AMI treated with PCI and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors underwent 2-D echocardiograms, with and without echo contrast agent, within 24–72 hours.

Results

Only 4/92 (4.3%) had an LV thrombus, representing a significantly lower incidence than that reported in the pre-PCI era. Use of contrast agents did not improve detection of LV thrombi in our study.

Conclusion

The incidence of LV thrombus formation after acute MI, in the current era of rapid reperfusion, is lower than what has been historically reported.

Disciplines

Cardiology

Recommended Citation

Rehan et al. Cardiovascular Ultrasound 2006, 4:20
doi:10.1186/1476-7120-4-20