Unexpected finding after aortic arch operation: a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm - Who is the culprit?

Echocardiography. 2022 May;39(5):732-734. doi: 10.1111/echo.15341. Epub 2022 Mar 27.

Abstract

We present a case of a 61-year-old female who, after undergoing frozen elephant trunk surgery, was found to have an unexpected left ventricular pseudoaneurysm on transthoracic echocardiogram. The pseudoaneurysm was caused by the left ventricular vent catheter constantly impinging the LV wall of the beating heart during surgery. Contrast echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) imaging confirmed the diagnosis and served for follow-up demonstrating the narrow neck and outpouching structure on the apical lateral wall. The patient remains asymptomatic two years after the operation and is being followed up with echocardiography and CT imaging.

Keywords: aortic surgery complications; cardiovascular surgery; contrast echocardiography; left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, False* / diagnosis
  • Aorta, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed