Optimal Use of Echocardiography in Management of Thrombosis After
Anterior Myocardial Infarction
Abstract
Despite advancement in therapy and management, left ventricular thrombus
(LVT) after anterior myocardial infarction (MI) is sporadically
encountered and remains associated with a very high risk of major
cardiovascular events and mortality. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is
considered the gold standard technique for LVT detection, but it is a
time consuming and expensive test not available in all centers,
especially when repeated exams are necessary. Transthoracic
echocardiography represents a useful tool to screen for LVT and to
identify predictors of high risk of developing LVT. The advances in
ultrasound technology and the use of contrast agents may potentially
help clinicians to identify LVT and the use of sequential
echocardiography for each patient with acute MI complicated by LVT may
provide an opportunity to quantify regression and its correlation with
outcomes to tailor the management of these patients. Hence, this
narrative review focuses on the added value of echocardiographic-guided
LVT management in patients with recent anterior MI to reduce mortality
and morbidity excess related to LVT based on current evidence.