Prevalence and predictors of thromboembolic events in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and left ventricular thrombus.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic events (TE) associated with left ventricular (LV) thrombus (LVT) are of clinical concern; however, further investigation into their prevalence and risk predictors is warranted.

METHODS: We retrospectively identified 256 patients diagnosed with LVT by echocardiography between 2010 and 2021. The primary outcome was the occurrence of TE, including stroke and arterial thromboembolism. Patients were divided into TE (+) and TE (-) groups for clinical comparison, with a focus on factors related to TE.

RESULTS: The TE event rate was 9% over a median period of 4±3 years. Notably, most TE occurred within 3 months and became scarce after 2 years of follow-up; based on this, LVT chronicity was defined as LVT persistency for ≥2 years. A prior TE history proved to be a positive predictor of TE (hazard ratio, HR:5.92, Confidence Interval, CI:1.45-24.18, p=0.01), while LVT chronicity showed to be a negative predictor (HR:0.04, CI:0.01-0.15, p<0.001). LVT chronicity accurately predicted TE (area under curve of 0.86 [95% CI: 0.80-0.93], cutoff value of 794 days [sensitivity: 69%, specificity: 91%]).

CONCLUSION: TE associated with LVT occurs in the early period of recognition, and a history of TE is an independent predictor for future TE. Once LVT becomes chronic (≥2 years), TE is rare.