Left Ventricular Thrombus in Acute Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction

Acute Myocardial Infarction is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular deaths. Left ventricular thrombus is a frequent and potentially dangerous complication of acute myocardial infarction, and is associated with increased risk of systemic embolization and higher mortality rates after acute myocardial infarction. Mural thrombosis with embolism typically occurs in the setting of a large (especially anterior) ST segment elevation acute MI. Thus, in patients with anterior ST segment elevation acute MI and in other high-risk patients, echocardiography should be performed during hospitalization to detect LV thrombus. This work is designed to highlight the magnitude of left ventricular thrombus in patients suffering from acute anterior myocardial infarction. The results of this study can be used to guide future recommendations for importance of diagnosis of this complication and guide treatment strategies in the post infarct patients, because significant frequency of left ventricular thrombus warrant early diagnosis and management of this prognostically life threatening, yet silent complication of myocardial infarction.