Subepicardial aneurysm of the left ventricle

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2003 Dec;16(12):1318-21. doi: 10.1067/j.echo.2003.08.016.

Abstract

Three patients are presented in whom a subepicardial aneurysm developed as a complication of a myocardial infarction. This aneurysm of the left ventricle is unusual and has 3 distinctive traits: an abrupt interruption of the myocardium that comprises the mouth and typically a narrow neck of the aneurysm; aneurysmal wall comprised of epicardium with or without a thin myocardial layer; and a propensity to rupture spontaneously regardless of the wall components or stage of development. All 3 patients were given a diagnosis using echocardiography and underwent immediate surgical aneurysmectomy. One patient died as a result of renal and respiratory failure postoperatively. The long-term outcome of the other 2 patients was favorable without evidence of additional cardiac rupture or instability.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Heart Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Aneurysm / etiology
  • Heart Aneurysm / surgery
  • Heart Ventricles
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications