title: Left ventricular thrombosis and arterial embolism after thrombolysis in acute anterior myocardial infarction: predictors and effects of adjunctive antithrombotic therapy.
abstract: The prevalence of left ventricular (LV) thrombosis and incidence of arterial embolism after acute anterior myocardial infarction (AAMI) treated with streptokinase 1.5 x 10(6) IU intravenously was studied in 136 patients enrolled consecutively in five cardiological centres. Adjunctive antithrombotic therapy was administered according to the routine of each centre. Thrombus formation was studied by two-dimensional echocardiography, and events of arterial embolism recorded. LV thrombosis was found in 37 (27.2%) of the patients. In a subgroup of 53 patients receiving post-thrombolytic therapy with acetylsalicylic acid only, a thrombus developed in 14 (26.4%). The thrombus prevalence among patients given high-dose heparin was significantly lower than among those receiving either low-dose heparin or no heparin (4/30 vs 33/106, P = 0.045). Logistic regression analysis suggested that severe LV wall motion abnormality (P < 0.001) and avoidance of treatment with high-dose heparin (P = 0.023) were independent predictors of LV thrombus formation. Only one patient (0.7%) suffered arterial embolism (ischaemic stroke). In conclusion, LV thrombosis is frequent after thrombolytic therapy for AAMI, and impaired LV wall motion represents an independent predisposing factor. Low-dose heparin and acetylsalicylic acid seem less effective for LV thrombus prophylaxis than high-dose heparin. The incidence of arterial embolism is low.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Aker University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kontny
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hegrenaes
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lem
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Søberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morstøl
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004452:Echocardiography; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin; D013300:Streptokinase; D001241:Aspirin