Intracavitary thrombus is noted in 11–44% of patients with idiopathic delayed cardiomyopathy, and the incidence of embolism is 11–20%. The incidence of intracavitary thrombus formation after acute anterior myocardial infarction is 21–41 %. The risk of embolism in all patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction is 2–6%; protruding or mobile thrombi carry a higher risk of embolization. Systemic anticoagulation is justified in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (international normalized ratio 2.0–3.0).
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12.
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16.
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17.
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21.
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22.
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23.
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24.
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26.
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27.
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29.
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30.
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31.
RobertsWCSeigelRJMcManusBM: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: Analysis of 152 necropsy patients. Am J Cardiol1987, 60: 1340–1355. This study and that by Roberts and Ferrans [30], carried out 12 years apart, remain the most detailed analyses of the necropsy findings on idiopathic delayed cardiomyopathy.
32.
CiaccheriMCastelliGCecchiFNanniniMSantoroGTroianiV: Lack of correlation between intracavitary thrombosis detected by cross-sectional echocardiography and systemic emboli in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Br Heart J1989, 62: 26–29. No correlation was observed between left ventricular thrombus and systemic embolization in patients with idiopathic delayed cardiomyopathy.
33.
GottdienerJSGayJAVanVoorheesLDiBiancoRFletcherRD: Frequency and embolic potential of left ventricular thrombus in dilated cardiomyopathy: Assessment by 2-dimensional echocardiography. Am J Cardiol1983, 52: 1281–1285. An early observational study showing an increased incidence of left ventricular thrombus in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. No correlation between thrombus and systemic embolization was observed.
34.
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35.
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36.
FusterVGershBJGiulianiERTajikAJBrandenburgROFryeRL: The natural history of idiopathic delayed cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol1981, 47: 525–531. Six- to 20-year follow-up of 104 patients with idiopathic delayed cardiomyopathy. An increase in systemic embolism was noted when no anticoagulation therapy was prescribed.
37.
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40.
The SCATI (Studio Sulla Calcipaina nell'Angina e nella Thrombosi Ventricolare nell'Infarto) Group: Randomized controlled trial of subcutaneous calcium—heparin in acute myocardial infarction. Lancet1989, ii:182–186.
41.
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43.
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44.
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45.
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46.
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47.
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48.
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49.
WeinreichDJBurkeJFPaulettoF: Left ventricular mural thrombi complicating acute myocardial infarction. Long-term follow-up with serial echocardiography. Ann Intern Med1984, 100: 789–794.
50.
JohannessenKNordrehaugJEvon der LippeG: Left ventricular thrombosis and cerebrovascular accident in acute myocardial infarction. Br Heart J1984, 51: 553–556.
51.
Funke KupperAJVerheugtFWAPeelsCHGalemaTWRoosJP: Left ventricular thrombus incidence and behavior studied by serial two-dimensional echocardiography in acute anterior myocardial infarction: Left ventricular wall motion, systemic embolism and oral anticoagulation. J Am Coll Cardiol1989, 13: 1514–1520. Of 92 patients with an initial myocardial infarction, 33% had a left ventricular thrombus. Early thrombus formation was associated with a poor prognosis, but with treatment resolution or a change in configuration of the thrombus was noted in 93%.
52.
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53.
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