FREQUENCY OF LEFT VENTRICULAR THROMBUS IN ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION ON ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Background: Left ventricular thrombus formation is a well-known complication of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. The objectives of this study were to determine the gender and age distribution of acute myocardial infarction patients and to find out the frequency of left ventricular thrombus in acute myocardial infarction patients. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Cardiology Department, DHQ Teaching Hospital, D.I.Khan from October 2012 to April 2013. A sample of 119 patients with typical chest pain lasting > 30 minutes with ECG changes of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction was included. Those with technically difficult windows for echocardiography and previous history of myocardial infarction were excluded. 2-D echocardiography was performed on day 1, 3 and 5 for detection of left ventricular thrombus. Categorical data was analyzed for frequency and percentage and numeric data for mean and SD. Results: Out of 119 patients 83(70%) were males and 36(30%) females. The mean age was 59.5 +/- 11.0 years. Myocardial infarction was anterior in 66(55.46%), inferior in 43(36.13%), anterolateral in 6(5.04%) and antero-inferior in 4(3.36%) patients. On serial echocardiography left ventricular thrombus was found in 9(7.56%) patients; 6 patients with anterior myocardial infarction, 2 with anterolateral and 1 with antero-inferior myocardial infarction. Conclusion: Left ventricular thrombus is important complication of acute myocardial infarction. The echocardiography is very sensitive and specific test in detection of LV thrombus in acute MI patients. Echo should be done of every patient presenting with acute MI at the time of admission and discharge.