Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm versus aneurysm a diagnosis dilemma

Ann Card Anaesth. 2016 Jan-Mar;19(1):169-72. doi: 10.4103/0971-9784.173042.

Abstract

Free wall rupture of the left ventricle (LV) is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infaction. Very rarely such rupture may be contained by the adhering pericardium creating a pseudoaneurysm. This condition warrants for an emergency surgery. Left ventricular aneurysm is the discrete thinning of the ventricular wall (<5 mm) with akinetic or dyskinetic wall motion causing an out-pouching of the ventricle. Given the propensity for pseudoaneurysms to rupture leading to cardiac tamponade, shock, and death, compared with a more benign natural history for true aneurysms, accurate diagnosis of these conditions is important. True aneurysm, usually, calls for an elective surgery. Clinically differentiating the two conditions remains a challenge. We report the case of a patient with LV pseudoaneurysm, initially diagnosed as true aneurysm at our institution. We have attempted to review the existing literature and discussed the characteristic findings of each entity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnosis*
  • Aneurysm, False / surgery
  • Diabetes Complications / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Heart Aneurysm / diagnosis
  • Heart Rupture / etiology
  • Heart Rupture / pathology
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology*
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
  • Stents