Incidentally detected large ventricular thrombus on echocardiography

Abstract

Ventricular thrombus is a major risk factor for systemic thromboembolism. It complicates both acute and chronic phases of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and, less frequently, non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. However, ventricular thrombus does not always manifest with thromboembolism. Advances in technology, especially the echocardiography, have improved the detection rates of intracardiac thrombi. Regarding the management, there are several uncertainties to date. We present six varied cases with incidental detection of ventricular thrombus on echocardiography with no clinically evident embolism at admission. Of the six cases, three patients had embolic complications after initiation of systemic anticoagulation.