Summary
Introduction. Left ventricular thrombus is a disease associated with a very high risk of cardiovascular events, embolization, stroke, bleeding, and increased mortality. Traditionally, vitamin K antagonists, predominantly warfarin, have been recommended and used as anticoagulation treatment for left ventricular thrombus. Nowadays, direct oral anticoagulants are increasingly considered as alternatives to vitamin K antagonists.
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) were developed as an alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and the most commonly used VKA - warfarin, that was the only available class of oral anticoagulants for a long time. As more and more clinical trials regarding the efficacy and safety of DOAC are completed, they are more often included into the guidelines of the most influential medical organisations and are more oft en prescribed by physicians for treatment and prevention of a diverse range of thrombotic and thromboembolic events.
