Abstract 13019: LV Thrombus With Embolic Phenomena: Identifying the Culprit

Abstract

Background: Left ventricular (LV) thrombus occurs with prior myocardial infarction (MI), particularly anterior ST-elevation MI (STEMI), dilated cardiomyopathy, and prothrombotic conditions. Case: A 38-year-old female with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with leg pain and dyspnea. Her left lower extremity was cold and mottled, with absent pulses in both legs. EKG revealed lateral STEMI. Emergent coronary angiogram revealed 85% proximal left circumflex stenosis and 100% stenosis of the proximal first obtuse marginal branch (not amenable to intervention due to small vessel caliber). The patient then underwent bilateral iliofemoral and popliteal embolectomy. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed ejection fraction (EF) of 40% and a 1 x 1 cm thrombus attached to the posteromedial papillary muscle; heparin was started. The patient later developed right-sided weakness; brain MRI revealed multiple acute-subacute infarcts in the left cerebral hemisphere. Transesophageal echocardiogram was negative for patent foramen ovale or shunt. Decision-making: LV thrombus with embolic phenomena raised suspicion for underlying thrombophilia. The patient was started on warfarin and clopidogrel, with outpatient follow-up for hypercoagulability workup, which was negative. Cardiac MRI later revealed resolution of LV thrombus, and oral anticoagulation was discontinued after 3 months, and switched to aspirin. Conclusion: LV thrombus is far more common after anterior STEMI as it affects a larger area of myocardium, but it can also occur with lateral STEMI. Hypercoagulability state should be considered on the differential of LV thrombus in the setting of lateral STEMI. If hypercoagulability workup is negative, aggressive risk factor modification for coronary disease should be pursued.