Project description:Left ventricular apical thrombus is a known complication following an anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Although left ventriculography may suggest an apical thrombus in the presence of a filling defect, additional imaging with echocardiography and/or cardiac magnetic resonance is strongly recommended to further characterize the thrombus post myocardial infarction.
Project description:BackgroundIn-hospital left ventricular (LV) thrombus following acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been evaluated on a national scale and was the focus of this investigation.MethodsWe used the 2003 to 2013 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to identify adults ?18?years old with a principal diagnosis code of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Patients were divided into two groups defined by the presence or absence of LV thrombus. Clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes were studied using relevant statistics. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were conducted to identify factors associated with LV thrombus.ResultsOf 1,035,888 STEMI patients hospitalized in the U. S from 2003 to 2013, 1982 (0.2%) developed acute in-hospital LV thrombus. Compared to no LV thrombus, patients with LV thrombus were more likely to have in-hospital complications; acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, acute renal failure, gastrointestinal bleed, cardiogenic shock, in-hospital cardiac arrest and mortality. They also had longer mean length of stay and higher hospital charges. Factors associated with LV thrombus included: anterior/anterolateral STEMI, acute or chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation, LV aneurysm, Left heart valvular disease, acute or chronic deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism and alcohol abuse. Patients with LV thrombus were less likely to be female [AOR 0.66, 95% CI (0.51-0.84)].ConclusionThe identification of factors associated with early development of LV thrombus following STEMI, will help direct resources for specific high-risk group and prompt cost-effective therapies. Gender variability in LV thrombus development warrants further investigations.
Project description:Left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation is a frequent complication in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI). Its incidence is lower with inferior wall MI. Risk factors for the development of LV thrombus are consistently irrespective of infarct treatment and include large infarct size, severe apical akinesia or dyskinesia LV aneurysm, and anterior MI.
Project description:The differential diagnosis of true aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms is challenging, and multimodality cardiac imaging is often necessary. We report a case in which the limitations of these techniques are exposed, showing that post-operative evaluation of tissue layers remains the gold standard in establishing this diagnosis. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).
Project description:Aims:The main aim of this study was to characterize changes in the left ventricular (LV) blood flow kinetic energy (KE) using four-dimensional (4D) flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) with/without LV thrombus (LVT). Methods and results:This is a prospective cohort study of 108 subjects [controls?=?40, MI patients without LVT (LVT- = 36), and MI patients with LVT (LVT+ = 32)]. All underwent CMR including whole-heart 4D flow. LV blood flow KE wall calculated using the formula: KE=12 ?blood . Vvoxel . v2, where ? = density, V = volume, v = velocity, and was indexed to LV end-diastolic volume. Patient with MI had significantly lower LV KE components than controls (P?<?0.05). LVT+ and LVT- patients had comparable infarct size and apical regional wall motion score (P?>?0.05). The relative drop in A-wave KE from mid-ventricle to apex and the proportion of in-plane KE were higher in patients with LVT+ compared with LVT- (87?±?9% vs. 78?±?14%, P?=?0.02; 40?±?5% vs. 36?±?7%, P?=?0.04, respectively). The time difference of peak E-wave KE demonstrated a significant rise between the two groups (LVT-: 38?±?38 ms vs. LVT+: 62?±?56 ms, P?=?0.04). In logistic-regression, the relative drop in A-wave KE (beta?=?11.5, P?=?0.002) demonstrated the strongest association with LVT. Conclusion:Patients with MI have reduced global LV flow KE. Additionally, MI patients with LVT have significantly reduced and delayed wash-in of the LV. The relative drop of distal intra-ventricular A-wave KE, which represents the distal late-diastolic wash-in of the LV, is most strongly associated with the presence of LVT.
Project description:AimsThis study aimed to identify echocardiographic determinants of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) formation after acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI).Methods and resultsThis case-control study comprised 55 acute anterior MI patients with LVT as cases and 55 acute anterior MI patients without LVT as controls, who were selected from a cohort of consecutive patients with ischemic heart failure in our hospital. The cases and controls were matched for age, sex, and left ventricular ejection fraction. LVT was detected by routine/contrast echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging during the first 3 months following MI. Formation of apical aneurysm after MI was independently associated with LVT formation [72.0% vs. 43.5%, odds ratio (OR) = 5.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65-15.48, P = 0.005]. Echocardiographic risk factors associated with LVT formation included reduced mitral annular plane systolic excursion (<7 mm, OR = 4.69, 95% CI 1.84-11.95, P = 0.001), moderate-severe diastolic dysfunction (OR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.11-6.57, P = 0.028), and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction [reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion < 17 mm (OR = 5.48, 95% CI 2.12-14.13, P < 0.001), reduced RV fractional area change < 0.35 (OR = 3.32, 95% CI 1.20-9.18, P = 0.021), and enlarged RV mid diameter (per 5 mm increase OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.12-2.34, P = 0.010)]. Reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (<17 mm) significantly associated with increased risk of LVT in anterior MI patients (OR = 3.84, 95% CI 1.37-10.75, P = 0.010), especially in those patients without apical aneurysm (OR = 5.12, 95% CI 1.45-18.08, P = 0.011), independent of body mass index, hypertension, anaemia, mitral annular plane systolic excursion, and moderate-severe diastolic dysfunction.ConclusionsRight ventricular dysfunction as determined by reduced TAPSE or RV fractional area change is independently associated with LVT formation in acute anterior MI patients, especially in the setting of MI patients without the formation of an apical aneurysm. This study suggests that besides assessment of left ventricular abnormalities, assessment of concomitant RV dysfunction is of importance on risk stratification of LVT formation in patients with acute anterior MI.
Project description:We describe a man with cardiac tamponade after anterior myocardial infarction (MI) with a mass on echocardiography, complicated by a S. Milleri purulent pericarditis. This case is an example of how 2 cardiac conditions can interfere with the diagnosis and management of each individual disorder, resulting in an extremely complex disease course. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).
Project description:Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon complication after transmural myocardial infarction, occurring when a free wall rupture is contained by adhesions of the overlying pericardium preventing acute tamponade. In this report, an unusual case of a 61 year-old male with a giant apical left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after an unnoticed myocardial infarction is presented. On coronary angiogram myocardial bridging of the distal left anterior descending artery was judged to be the infarct related lesion. The echocardiographic diagnosis allowed for a timely surgical intervention which resulted in the patient's full recovery.
Project description:Even in the era of percutaneous reperfusion therapy, left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) leading to heart failure remains a major health concern. Contractile dysfunction of the infarcted myocardium results in an increased pressure load, leading to maladaptive reshaping of the LV. Several percutaneous transcatheter procedures have been developed to deliver devices that restore LV shape and function. The purposes of this review are to discuss the spectrum of transcatheter devices that are available or in development for attenuation of adverse LV remodeling and to critically examine the available evidence for improvement of functional status and cardiovascular outcomes.