Risk factors for systemic thromboembolism after left chamber cardiac thrombi --- A retrospective multi-center study

Abstract

Background : We aimed to characterize the independent predictors of systemic thromboembolism (ST) after left chamber thrombi. Methods: A retrospective analysis on the medical records of 175 patients diagnosed with left chamber thrombi by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at three centers were carried out. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship of each characteristic with ST. Multivariate Cox proportional survival analysis was conducted, with covariate adjustments, to identify predictors of all-cause mortality. Results: During a median 42 months of follow-up (25th–75th percentile: 20–62 months), 24 (13.7%) patients had ST, and 62 (35.4%) died. History of diabetes and thrombus mobility were independent predictors of ST (P = 0.003, P = 0.02, respectively). There was a significant association between abnormal ejection fraction (EF) and all-cause mortality (P = 0.003). Conclusions: The morbidity associated with ST and the increased risk for mortality associated with left chamber cardiac thrombi relates to medical history, thrombus state, and diminished heart function.