Target Audience:

Who should attend:

• Clinical faculty from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
• Clinical staff pharmacists employed by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and deployed throughout the hospital campus in unit based roles and centrally in the department of pharmacy's main pharmacy
• Student pharmacy interns currently working within the department of pharmacy
• Certified Pharmacy Technicians

Abstract
Left ventricular thrombus has been an extensive complication post myocardial infarction and occurs in patients with left ventricular disfunction. In the post lytic era, left ventricular thrombus incidence has significantly decreased while its clinical consequences are still as severe. These clinical consequences revolve largely around stroke and systemic embolism. Risk factors for left ventricular thrombus include left ventricular dysfunction, myocardial infarction, and most specifically increased risk in anterior myocardial infarction. Anticoagulation is a mainstay in treatment of left ventricular thrombus to prevent such complications. Guideline therapy has recommended the use of oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists in order to treat left ventricular thrombus. In recent years there has been emerging evidence for the use of direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, and pulmonary embolism compared to warfarin. This emerging evidence has sparked interest in the topic of direct oral anticoagulants for treatment of left ventricular thrombus. Evidence has demonstrated that there may be a use for direct oral anticoagulants for left ventricular thrombus with higher clearance rates of thrombi compared to warfarin. Less bleeding has also been shown with direct oral anticoagulants compared to warfarin in multiple studies. However, some data does suggest that their may be an increase in stroke and systemic embolism with direct oral anticoagulants compared to warfarin. This confliction of data has led to a clinical controversy prompting further discussion for the use of direct oral anticoagulant for LV thrombus.

Educational Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this continuing pharmacy education program, the participant should be able to:

• Describe the pathophysiology, risk factors, and diagnostic criteria of left ventricular thrombus.
• Discuss the role of anticoagulation and current guidelines directed therapy for treatment of left ventricular thrombus.
• Explain the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants for the treatment of left ventricular thrombus.

Pharmacy Continuing Education Credits In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. The assigned universal program number(s) is JA4008223-0000-23-104-H01-P.  This knowledge-based activity provides 1  contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.

Suggested Additional Reading & Joint Accreditation Statement - Note: This Accreditation Statement Supersedes All Other Statements:

A list of references is included as a separate resource after the video.

Joint Accreditation Statement - this statement supersedes any other statement on this page
In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Pharmacy (CPE) - This knowledge-based activity provides 1.0 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.

Other Healthcare Professionals: Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.