Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
PCI complications: new or enlarging thrombus
Introduction
Overview
A new or enlarging thrombus is defined as:
1. The appearance of thrombus grade ≥2 during a PCI procedure that was not present at baseline;
2. A qualitative increase of baseline thrombus during a PCI procedure;
3. Presence of thrombus at baseline that improves during a PCI procedure only to worsen later:
| Baseline | During Procedure | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrombus Grade | Grade ≥5 | Grade ≤2 | Grade ≥4 |
For example, a thrombus of grade 5 is present at baseline. During the PCI procedure, the thrombus grade improves to 2 however at the end of the procedure, the thrombus grade worsens to 4. This example will qualify as a “New or Enlarging Thrombus”.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Madeleine Cochet, B.S.