Doppler left ventricular flow pattern versus conventional predictors of left ventricular thrombus after acute myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
The value of Doppler-derived left ventricular spatial flow patterns in predicting left ventricular thrombus formation after myocardial infarction was compared with that of conventional clinical and echocardiographic variables.


BACKGROUND
Assessment of left ventricular thrombosis risk after myocardial infarction is important because of potential embolic sequelae that are reduced by oral anticoagulant agents.


METHODS
Clinical, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic data were prospectively obtained in 104 patients with acute myocardial infarction within 48 h of admission. Ventricular flow was assessed by Doppler echocardiography and considered normal when brisk ventricular inflow with simultaneous onset at the mitral valve and apical levels was present, together with alternating directions of apical flow throughout the cardiac cycle. In addition to normal flow, two abnormal flow patterns were recognized: apical rotating flow and vortex ring formation. Oral anticoagulant agents were prescribed only to patients with abnormal flow at admission. The incidence of left ventricular thrombosis was assessed by echocardiography during 9 months of follow-up.


RESULTS
Abnormal flow pattern had a positive predictive value of 63% and a negative predictive value of 99%. On stepwise logistic regression analysis, only abnormal flow pattern had an independent relation to left ventricular thrombus (odds ratio 92).


CONCLUSIONS
Left ventricular flow pattern derived by Doppler echocardiography soon after admission is superior to conventional clinical and two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment in estimating the risk of left ventricular thrombosis after myocardial infarction.
Van Dantzig
J M
JM
Academic Medical Center, Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Delemarre
B J
BJ
Bot
H
H
Koster
R W
RW
Visser
C A
CA
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D006493:Heparin