Resolution Of Atrial Thrombus Research Articles

Abstract 12644: FlowTriever Percutaneous Aspiration Thrombectomy: A Promising Approach to Catch a (Throm)Bus In-Transit

Introduction: Clot-in-transit (CIT) is a life-threatening emergency that occurs in about 25,000 patients annually and is associated with high mortality due to rapid cardiopulmonary collapse. This is a case of right atrial (RA) CIT extending from existing IVC filter in a patient with pulmonary embolism (PE) who underwent successful FlowTriever® catheter-based thrombectomy. Description of Case: A 60-year-old male presented with progressively worsening dyspnea on exertion, generalized weakness and fatigue, intermittent chest pain, and right leg pain with immobility for several weeks. He had a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), PE in 2008 treated with 18-month of warfarin. IVC filter was placed at that time for unclear indication. His initial labs showed elevated troponin-I of 34 ng/mL and NT pro-BNP of 3542 pg/mL, atrial flutter with 2:1 conduction, incomplete right bundle branch block, and old inferior infarct on ECG. Imaging revealed an extensive bilateral PE with right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) ratio of 2.3. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed global LV dysfunction with ejection fraction of 44%, RV strain, dilated IVC, and an 8.7-cm mobile CIT in IVC extending into RA. Despite being treated with Heparin infusion, patient remained persistently tachycardic and dyspneic. Given his clinical stagnation due to CIT and submassive PE, he underwent an invasive TTE-guided percutaneous IVC and pulmonary arterial thrombectomy using Inari FlowTriever® catheter. Repeated TTE showed complete resolution of atrial thrombus. There was improvement in pulmonary arterial pressure and symptoms immediately post thrombectomy, but atrial flutter persisted. He was eventually discharged the following day with betablocker and life-long duration of anticoagulation. At follow up, he had complete resolution of symptoms and normal sinus rhythm on ECG. Discussion: Although surgical embolectomy is considered first-line therapy, percutaneous thrombectomy should be considered early for CIT to prevent of cardiopulmonary deterioration and shorter hospital course. FlowTriever® is the first device not requiring a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit to be FDA cleared for RA CIT, particularly benefiting patients who are poor surgical candidates.

A Prospective Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Edoxaban for the Resolution of Left Atrial Thrombosis in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Available evidence on left atrial (LA) thrombus dissolution in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) largely refers to the use of vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (VKAs), showing >50% thrombus resolution over a 4-week to 12-month treatment period. Available data on non-vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants (NOACs) in this setting are limited and derive from isolated case reports or observational small-sized investigations with dabigatran, rivaroxaban or apixaban. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of thrombus resolution with edoxaban therapy in patients with AF and LA thrombosis. We conducted a prospective, observational, open-label pilot study in seven Italian institutions. We included a total of 25 patients with non-valvular AF and LA (or left atrial appendage (LAA)) thrombosis, documented by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). All patients received edoxaban OD treatment (n = 23 on 60 mg daily; n = 2 on 30 mg daily) and underwent TEE examination after 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with complete thrombus resolution by TEE imaging at 4 weeks. The mean age of the study population was 68.3 ± 10.8 years with a female population of 16%. AF was permanent in all cases, with a mean arrhythmia duration of 4.3 ± 1.7 years. CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were 3.2 ± 1.5 and 1.9 ± 1.1, respectively. We were able to demonstrate a complete thrombus resolution in 14 patients (56%) at 4 weeks. In patients with residual atrial thrombosis (n = 11), we observed a 15.4 ± 14.9% reduction in the thrombus area from baseline. As compared with patients without thrombus dissolution, those with thrombus resolution had a numerically lower-indexed LA diameter (27.9 ± 9.3 vs 34.8 ± 16.1 mm/m2), a smaller maximum thrombus area at baseline (45.5 ± 44.6 vs 63.9 ± 43.5 mm2), a higher left ventricular ejection fraction (47.4 ± 21.0% vs 38.4 ± 20.6%) and higher maximum LAA flow velocities (26.3 ± 15.2 vs 19.3 ± 10.0 cm/s). Figures on the percentage of thrombus resolution in this study are comparable to those reported in the literature for the other OACs. We conclude that, in patients with AF, the use of edoxaban is associated with a >50% resolution of atrial thrombus at 4 weeks, similar to studies using VKAs and the other NOACs (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier number: NCT034899395).

The differences of atrial thrombus locations and variable response to anticoagulation in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with ventricular cardiomyopathy.

ObjectivesThis study aims to research the clinical features of atrial thrombi in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF).METHODSThis study included 191 patients of AF who had atrial thrombi. One hundred and twenty‐eight of them were assigned into nonventricular cardiomyopathy group (non‐VCM), and the remaining 63 into ventricular cardiomyopathy group (VCM). After atrial thrombi diagnosed, all patients had taken oral anticoagulant therapy. The resolution rates of thrombi within 12 months were compared between the two groups, as well as the locations of thrombi.ResultsOf all 191 patients, 161 had thrombi only detected in left atrial appendage (LAA), 20 in both left atrium (LA) and LAA, six in LA only, and four in right atrium only. More patients had thrombi out of LAA in the VCM group than in the non‐VCM group (30.2% vs 8.6%, P < .001). After propensity score matching, the atrial thrombi were resolved faster in the non‐VCM group than in the VCM group (mean time length: 22 ± 2 weeks vs 30 ± 3 weeks, P = .038), and the resolution rate within 12 months was higher in the non‐VCM group than in the VCM group (88.7% vs 61.4%, Log‐rank, P = .038). In Cox proportional hazards model, absence of ventricular cardiomyopathy was an independent predictor for the resolution of atrial thrombus (hazard ratio: 1.76; P = .035).ConclusionsThe patients of atrial fibrillation with ventricular cardiomyopathies have higher incidence of thrombosis in the body of left atrium or right atrium. And the resolution rate was lower in these patients.

Oral anticoagulants for left atrial thrombus resolution in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or flutter: Building the pyramid of evidence for off‐label drug use

Oral anticoagulants for left atrial thrombus resolution in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or flutter: Building the pyramid of evidence for off‐label drug use

Left Atrial Thrombus Resolution Using Unfractionated Heparin and Warfarin in a Patient with Mitral Stenosis

Abstract&#x0D; Background: Though the use of Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) in general is preferred due to its convenient and eliminates the need for activated Partial Thromboplastin Time ( aPTT) monitoring but Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) is still widely used in clinical setting due to its availability and low price. Besides UFH, the use of oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin, has been the standard therapy for the prevention of thromboembolism in patients with AF. Our aim is to report a case of the resolution of left atrial thrombus in a patient with mitral stenosis.&#x0D; Case Illustration: A Case report of a female patient aged 54 years who admitted with a sudden neurological deficits and mitral stenosis with atrial fibrillation. Transthoracal Echocardiography (TTE) showed mobile thrombus which moved and obstructed the mitral valve during diastolic phase. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) was administered 3000 unit bolus intravenously and maintained with 600 unit per hour with the combination of warfarin 2 mg for five days. TTE evaluation showed the resolution of LA thrombus. &#x0D; Conclusion : The administration of the combination of UFH and warfarin had successfully caused resolution of the LA thrombus and prevented the patient from surgical intervention. This case report indicated that Unfractionated Heparin and Warfarin were still the treatments option in LA thrombus patients with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation.&#x0D; &#x0D; Key words :Left atrial thrombus, unfractionated heparin, thrombus resolution&#x0D; &#x0D;

Left atrial thrombus resolution in non-valvular atrial fibrillation or flutter: biomarker substudy results from a prospective study with rivaroxaban (X-TRA)

Background: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants including rivaroxaban are widely used for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the relationship between plasma biomarkers (indicative of thrombogenesis, fibrinolysis and inflammation) and left atrial thrombus resolution after rivaroxaban treatment.Methods: This was an ancillary analysis of the X-TRA study, which was a prospective interventional study evaluating the use of rivaroxaban for left atrial/left atrial appendage (LA/LAA) thrombus resolution in AF patients. We assessed various biomarkers of thrombogenesis/fibrinolysis [D-dimer, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1,2), thrombin–antithrombin (TAT) complexes, von Willebrand factor (vWF)] and inflammation [high-sensitivity interleukin-6 (hsIL-6), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)], measured at baseline and after 6 weeks’ of rivaroxaban treatment.Results: There was a significant decrease in the mean levels of hsCRP, D-dimer, vWF, and TAT from baseline to end of treatment with rivaroxaban. Although none of the thrombogenesis/fibrinolysis biomarkers showed a significant relationship with thrombus resolution, high inflammatory biomarkers at baseline were significantly associated with an increased chance of the thrombus being completely resolved (hsIL-6) or reduced/resolved (hsCRP).Conclusions: Biomarkers of inflammation are significantly associated with LA/LAA thrombus outcomes in AF patients prospectively treated with rivaroxaban.

Left atrial thrombus resolution in atrial fibrillation or flutter: Results of a prospective study with rivaroxaban (X-TRA) and a retrospective observational registry providing baseline data (CLOT-AF)

Data on left atrial/left atrial appendage (LA/LAA) thrombus resolution after non-vitamin K antagonist (VKA) oral anticoagulant treatment are scarce. The primary objective of X-TRA was to explore the use of rivaroxaban for the resolution of LA/LAA thrombi in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter, with the CLOT-AF registry providing retrospective data after standard-of-care therapy in this setting. X-TRA was a prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study that investigated rivaroxaban treatment for 6 weeks for LA/LAA thrombus resolution in patients with nonvalvular AF or atrial flutter and LA/LAA thrombus confirmed at baseline on a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). CLOT-AF retrospectively collected thrombus-related patient outcome data after standard-of-care anticoagulant treatment for 3 to 12 weeks in patients with nonvalvular AF or atrial flutter who had LA/LAA thrombi on TEE recorded in their medical file. In X-TRA, patients were predominantly (95.0%) from Eastern European countries. The adjudicated thrombus resolution rate was 41.5% (22/53 modified intention-to-treat [mITT] patients, 95% CI 28.1%-55.9%) based on central TEE assessments. Resolved or reduced thrombus was evident in 60.4% (32/53 mITT patients, 95% CI 46.0%-73.6%) of patients. In CLOT-AF, the reported thrombus resolution rate was 62.5% (60/96 mITT patients, 95% CI 52.0%-72.2%) and appeared better in Western European countries (34/50; 68.0%) than in Eastern European countries (26/46; 56.5%). X-TRA is the first prospective, multicenter study examining LA/LAA thrombus resolution with a non-VKA oral anticoagulant in VKA-naïve patients or in patients with suboptimal VKA therapy. Rivaroxaban could be a potential option for the treatment of LA/LAA thrombi.

Left atrial thrombosis in an anticoagulated patient after bioprosthetic valve replacement: Report of a case

We present the case of a 74 year old woman suffering from severe mitral valve incompetence and rapid atrial fibrillation. After an appropriate vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy, the patient underwent mitral valve replacement by bioprosthesis. Then, the patient was re-hospitalized for jaundice. Suspecting hepatotoxicity, VKA was discontinued and fondaparinux was started. During this treatment, the patient developed a symptomatic atrial thrombus. After exclusion of a hepatic disease, VKA was re-established with hemodynamic and liver enzymes normalization and atrial thrombus resolution. Caution has to be used when considering fondaparinux as an alternative strategy to VKA in patients with multiple thrombotic risk factors.

Resolution of atrial thrombosis with heparin in a newborn with atrial flutter

Atrial thrombosis is a relatively rare event in children. We report a case of a newborn with AFI who after restoration of sinus rhythm, developed atrial thrombus on a prominent Chiari network floating between the right and left atrium through the patent foramen ovale. The thrombus was resolved following treatment with heparin without events. Atrial stunning was proposed as a key mechanistic phenomenon because the thrombus occurred after the cardioversion of AFI to sinus rhythm. Heparin may be effective in the resolution of atrial thrombus within a few days.

485 Patients with transient ischemic attack under oral anticoagulation: atrial thrombus resolution follow-up guided by transesophageal echocardiography

485 Patients with transient ischemic attack under oral anticoagulation: atrial thrombus resolution follow-up guided by transesophageal echocardiography

Atrial Thrombi Resolution After Prolonged Anticoagulation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Transesophageal Echocardiographic Study

Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in nonanticoagulated patients may be associated with clinical thromboembolism. Prolonged anticoagulation with warfarin before cardioversion of atrial fibrillation produces a marked reduction of cardioversion-related thromboembolism. The benefit of anticoagulant therapy is generally believed to be due to atrial thrombi organization. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is highly accurate for diagnosis of atrial thrombi and gives the possibility to serially evaluate the effects of anticoagulant therapy. One hundred twenty-three patients with atrial fibrillation lasting longer than 2 days underwent TEE before cardioversion. An atrial thrombus was identified in 11 patients (9%), and was always confined to the left atrial appendage. TEE was repeated after a median of 4 weeks of oral warfarin. Atrial thrombus had completely resolved in 9 of 11 patients (81.8%; 95% CI, 48.2 to 97.7%); in two patients, clot was still present. No patient had clinical thromboembolism between the two TEE studies. In the population of our study, a prolonged course of warfarin therapy was associated with resolution of atrial thrombi in the majority of patients. According to these data, the mechanism of thromboembolism reduction with 4 weeks of anticoagulation before cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation seems to be related mainly to thrombus lysis rather than organization. Due to the possibility of thrombus persistence even after prolonged anticoagulation, follow-up with TEE before cardioversion is necessary to document thrombus resolution.