Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm
Its Recognition and Significance
- Abraham H. Dachman, MD;
- Hugo Spindola-Franco, MD;
- Norman Solomon, MD
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
Excerpt
CARDIAC rupture is a major cause of mortality after myocardial infarction.1,2 In a small percentage of patients, cardiac rupture is not a catastrophic event, but, rather, results in the formation of a pseudoaneurysm. Pseudoaneurysm is the result of ventricular rupture contained by adherent pericardium and fibrotic tissue. Pseudoaneurysm is thus characterized by the absence of myocardial tissue in its wall and a relatively narrow ostium between the ventricle and the paraventricular chamber (Fig 1).
The plain-film finding of a paracardiac mass in a diaphragmatic or posterolateral location (Fig 2) in conjunction with a history of previous myocardial infarction is highly suggestive of pseudoaneurysm and is sufficient indication for angiographic studies.3,4 Left ventriculography will show a paraventricular chamber filling via a relatively narrow ostium. The diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating an avascular wall on coronary arteriography.4
Report of a Case A 62-year-old man was admitted for syncope and
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Department of Radiology, Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467 (Dr Spindola-Franco).
