Comparative study between aspirin to acenocoumarol in regressing spontaneous echo contrast in mitral stenosis

Abstract

Mitral stenosis is one of the most often valvular disease in Division of Cardiology, M. Hoesin hospital, Palembang, and there was strong evidence of thromboembolic phenomenon in mitral stenosis (MS) patients. Many studies evaluated the spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) that was regarded as a precursor of thrombo embolic phenomenon. So far there were controversies regarding how to regress spontaneous echo contrast. A randomized double blind controlled study was done on 22 MS patients with positive SEC, receiving either aspirin 100 mg or acenocoumarol 1 mg and followed up after 4 weeks. There was 100 % regression of SEC in acenocoumarol group that consisted of 40% regression from severe SEC to mild, and 60% complete resolution. In aspirin group there was no resolution of SEC. In acenocoumarol group, 2 of 4 thrombus totally disappeared while the rest was reduced in size. On the other hand, in aspirin group, after 4 weeks, the patients with thrombus was increased from 3 to 4 patients. In conclusion, four week therapy with acenocoumarol 1 mg is effective and save in regressing spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus in mitral stenosis patients without any significant change in hemodynamics. (Med J Indones 2002; 11: 202-7)

Keywords: thrombus, thromboembolic phenomenon, transthoracal, esophageal, echocardiography