Left ventricular thrombus in a patient with recurrent ischemic stroke events—The role of echocardiography

Abstract

Key Clinical MessageCardiac ultrasound is recommended in investigating ischemic stroke events. There is increasing evidence that direct oral anticoagulants can be safely used instead of vitamin K antagonists in the setting of left ventricular thrombus.AbstractCardioembolic stroke is responsible for an increasing number of ischemic strokes. Compared to other causes of stroke, cardioembolic strokes affect a larger brain area. Left ventricular (LV) thrombi account for up to 10% of cardioembolic strokes. It is essential to identify patients at high risk of LV thrombus formation, such as patients with a history of myocardial infarction, patients with reduced ejection fraction, or patients with cardiomyopathies. We present a patient with an ischemic stroke, and the cardiac ultrasound revealed a reduced ejection fraction and the presence of LV thrombus at the apex. The patient had no prior history of cardiovascular diseases. Even in a resource‐limited setting, cardiac ultrasound is recommended to investigate stroke or transient ischemic attack events, especially in patients with a prior history of myocardial infarction. Although patients with LV thrombus should be treated with oral anticoagulants for at least 3 months, the role of direct oral anticoagulants and the optimal period of anticoagulation in this setting needs further investigation.