Left atrial free-floating thrombus with multiple systemic emboli in orthotopic heart transplantation

[Incidence and dynamic behavior of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and atrial thrombi in the transplanted heart]

BACKGROUND

Standard orthotopic heart transplantation produces important anatomic and functional atrial alterations with subsequent thrombotic risk. Therefore the aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and evolution of spontaneous echocardiography, atrial thrombi and embolic events.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

52 consecutive transplanted patients were analyzed with transesophageal echocardiography and hemodynamic studies performed at 15 days and one year after transplantation.

RESULTS

Spontaneous echocardiography contrast was present in 27 patients (52%). Ten atrial thrombi were observed (19.2%), 9 with spontaneous echocardiography contrast. Six atrial thrombi appeared on day 15 and 4 after one year (with spontaneous echocardiography contrast on the previous study). Using multiple logistic regression analysis left atrial size was the only independent predictor factor for spontaneous echocardiography contrast (OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.09-1.54) and was an important predictor factor of atrial thrombi formation (OR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.04-1.42). Likewise, the main predictor of atrial thrombi was the presence of spontaneous echocardiography contrast (OR = 116; 95% CI, 8.4-999). The hemodynamic pattern did not predict either the presence of spontaneous echocardiography contrast or atrial thrombi. The global incidence of embolic events was 4% less than previously described.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of atrial thrombi and spontaneous echocardiographic contrast after standard orthotopic heart transplantation was 19.2% and 52%, respectively. An enlarged atrium and/or spontaneous echocardiography contrast was found to increase the risk of atrial thrombi. Considering the dynamic nature of atrial thrombi formation, periodical transesophageal echocardiography studies are recommended after heart transplantation.

Treatment of vascular thrombosis with enoxaparin in orthotopic heart transplant patients during the early postoperative period

Management of anti-coagulation in the early period after orthotopic heart transplantation, when the frequency of invasive procedures to assess for graft rejection is high, presents a difficult clinical problem in which the need for effective therapy must be weighed against the desire for outpatient treatment. In this report, we summarize the clinical course and long-term outcome of 6 patients from our center in whom vascular thrombosis was treated on an outpatient basis with enoxaparin. We conclude that the use of enoxaparin may provide a safe and reasonable alternative to conventional anti-coagulation therapy during this period.

Transient cerebral ischemic attack and left atrial free-floating thrombus: a case report

A patient with rheumatic mitral stenosis was found to have a free-floating thrombus in the left atrium during echocardiography. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgical treatment. At surgery, a free thrombus was found within the left atrium. The postoperative course of the patient was satisfactory.