Perforated ventricular aneurysm in a male suffering from pneumonia

Clin Cardiol. 1991 Oct;14(10):853-6. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960141013.

Abstract

In a 49-year-old male with fever, dyspnea, and chest pain, thoracic x-ray revealed pneumonia with enlarged heart silhouette. Antibiotics were successful, pneumonia healed and complaints disappeared. Yet, during the following 3 months, echocardiography showed mild persistent pericardial effusion while in ECG both sinus tachycardia and ST-T changes were found suggesting chronic pericarditis. Magnetic resonance imaging, however, revealed an extensive posterobasal aneurysm with pericardial effusion substantiated by ventriculography. Coronary angiography showed diffuse three-vessel disease. Surgery revealed aneurysm with distinct perforation of the left ventricle and pericardial thrombi, thus aneurysmectomy as well as bypass grafts were performed. One year postoperatively, magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the absence of aneurysm with only a small irreversible posterobasal perfusion defect remaining as shown by thallium scintigraphy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Heart Aneurysm / etiology
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction / etiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications*
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Pericardial Effusion / diagnosis*
  • Pericardial Effusion / etiology
  • Pneumonia / complications*
  • Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging