Contemporary experience of percutaneous management of complex aortic and ventricular pseudoaneurysms associated to perivalvular leak: A case series and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous closure of aortic and ventricular pseudoaneurysms (PSA) has only been reported on a case report and series basis. In previous case reports, percutaneous closure has been performed successfully in patients of prohibitive surgical risk. This case series aims to show feasibility of percutaneous closure of aortic and ventricular pseudoaneurysm secondary to perivalvular leak (PVL) in a small patient population and the utility of multimodality imaging as an integral tool in procedural planning. This is the largest complex case series to date describing the feasibility and success rate of complex PSA closure, with a follow-up period of up to 4 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed institutional review and systemic literature review to identify all paravalvular leak cases with associated pseudoaneurysm formation for which a closure procedure was performed. Ten patients were identified. Pooled analysis for cases from institutional review (n = 10) and systemic literature review (n = 39) was performed. The success rate was 100 %. At 30-days, the mortality was 0 %. CONCLUSION: In paravalvular leak patients with subsequent pseudoaneurysm formation, exhaustive imaging evaluation is required for closure. However, it can be achievable with favorable rates of success.

Conservative treatment of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after mitral valve replacement due to early left ventricular rupture: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm due to early left ventricle rupture is a serious complication after cardiac surgery. Urgent surgery is recommended in most cases with a high mortality rate. Conservative treatment of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm due to early left ventricle rupture is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 61-year-old woman with left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after mitral valve replacement due to early left ventricle rupture. This patient was treated in a conservative approach. This patient had an uneventful recovery. She was in good condition and remained asymptomatic 3.5 years after mitral valve surgery. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that medical treatment left ventricular pseudoaneurysm patients has a limited but acceptable role in selected and unusual circumstances.

Mechanical, inflammatory, and embolic complications of myocardial infarction: An emergency medicine review.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the declining incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the United States, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains an important clinical entity, with many patients requiring emergency department (ED) management for mechanical, inflammatory, and embolic complications. OBJECTIVE: This narrative review provides an evidence-based summary of the current data for the emergency medicine evaluation and management of post myocardial infarction mechanical, inflammatory, and embolic complications. DISCUSSION: While 30-day mortality rate after AMI has decreased in the past two decades, it remains significantly elevated at 7.8%, owing to a wide variety of subacute complications evolving over weeks. Mechanical complications such as ventricular free wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture, mitral valve regurgitation, and formation of left ventricular aneurysms carry significant morbidity. Additional complications include ischemic stroke, heart failure, renal failure, and cardiac dysrhythmias. This review provides several guiding principles for management of these complications. Understanding these complications and an approach to the management of various complications is essential to optimizing patient care. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical, inflammatory, and embolic complications of AMI can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Physicians must rapidly diagnose these conditions while evaluating for other diseases. In addition to understanding the natural progression of disease and performing a focused physical examination, an electrocardiogram and bedside echocardiogram provide quick, noninvasive determinations of the underlying pathophysiology. Management varies by presentation and etiology, but close consultation with cardiology and cardiac surgery is recommended.

Transapical percutaneous closure of rapidly expanding post-surgical left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is an infrequent but potentially fatal complication following cardiac surgery, with spontaneous rupture being the most feared result. Moreover, surgical repair is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present a successful transapical percutaneous closure of a post-surgical rapidly expanding left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) pseudoaneurysm utilizing Amplatz Vascular Plug-II (AVP-II) (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN) with the aid of 3D prototyping for pre-procedural planning.

Transcatheter Closure of Left Ventricular Apical Pseudoaneurysm with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug.

We report the case of a 66-year-old man, with a history of previous chest radiation therapy admitted to ED for heart failure. The patient was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and multivessel coronary disease and underwent surgical aortic valve replacement and coronary artery by pass grafts. Cardiac surgery was complicated by a left ventricular perforation by a venting catheter. The laceration was repaired with a Teflon patch apparently successful. Four months later, a CT scan performed for oncological follow-up demonstrated the complete detachment of the Teflon patch and the formation of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm was effectively treated percutaneously using an Amplatzer Vascular Plug 4.

Percutaneous transapical pseudoaneurysm closure following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVP) formation is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Conventionally, a pseudoaneurysm has been treated surgically; however, improved transcatheter technique and device technology have made a percutaneous closure of LVP an increasingly viable option, especially in a patient unfavorable for surgery. A TAVR candidate is most likely at increased surgical-risk or inoperable. Therefore a percutaneous closure can be a reasonable strategy for LVP, but its experience following this emerging aortic valve procedure remains limited. We describe a case of LVP formation after TAVR in which it was efficiently treated with a percutaneous closure using a transapical approach via LVP. The first attempt was performed with a transfemoral approach. Pre-closure angiography revealed an eccentric shape of a LVP neck like a "chicken leg". This shape caused serious difficulty to cross LVP with a wire and it was not accomplished. However, the LVP location was at the apex and we could access from a chest wall through the pseudoaneurysm in the second attempt. This approach allowed a close and coaxial wire manipulation and the neck of LVP was finally crossed. After that, a closure device was deployed and the second procedure was successfully completed. An approach selection often contributes to a procedural success. This is the first case of a percutaneous LVP closure following TAVR using a transapical access and may suggest this approach as a possible option for this catheter closure in TAVR candidates. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: A retrospective study in a single-center of China.

Left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm is a fatal and rare condition with a high risk of rupture. The symptoms are nonspecific and diagnosis is often delayed. The purpose of this study is to analysis a series of cases in our institution.Between March 2009 and April 2016, 10 patients (5 males and 5 females) with LV pseudoaneurysm were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical information, diagnostic imaging modalities, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated.The mean age was 58.2 ±â€Š11.0 years (28-71 years). The common symptoms were chest pain (3 cases), dyspnea (3 cases), and syncope (2 cases). All patients had nonspecific abnormalities on the electrocardiogram, and 7 patients had chest X-ray abnormalities. Three etiologies including myocardial infarction (6 cases), mitral valve replacement (3 cases), and suspected endocarditis (1 case) were identified. LV pseudoanerysm was diagnosed in 8 patients by transthoracic echocardiography, and the other 2 patients were diagnosed by computed tomography angiogram. Posterior (4 cases) and lateral (4 cases) of the left ventricle were the most common positions of the rupture orifice. Eight patients accepted surgery repair and 2 patients were treated conservatively. In 2 patients, residual apical aneurysm was found, 1 patient was detected with a residual LV pseudoaneurysm, and 1 patient had myocardial infarction at 61 months' follow-up.Myocardial infarction was the most common etiology of patients with LV pseudoaneurysm. The most frequently ruptured orifices were lateral and posterior walls of the left ventricle. Surgery is recommended as the first option, and conservative therapy can be considered for appropriate patients.

Infective Endocarditis of the Aortic Valve with Anterior Mitral Valve Leaflet Aneurysm.

Mitral valve leaflet aneurysm is a rare and potentially devastating complication of aortic valve endocarditis. We report the case of a 48-year-old man who had endocarditis of the native aortic valve and a concomitant aneurysm of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. Severe mitral regurgitation occurred after the aneurysm perforated. The patient showed no signs of heart failure and completed a 6-week regimen of antibiotic therapy before undergoing successful aortic and mitral valve replacement. In addition to the patient's case, we review the relevant medical literature.

Percutaneous closure of post TAVR LV apical pseudoaneurysm.

Left ventricular (LV) apical pseudoaneurysm is a well known complication of myocardial infarction and open heart surgery procedures, and has more recently been described after transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Since the natural history includes a high incidence of cardiac rupture and mortality in the 30-45% range within the first year after diagnosis, surgical repair has been the main therapy. More recently, LV pseudoaneurysms have been closed using percutaneous methods. We describe a post-TAVR pseudoaneurysm for which closure was done via retrograde LV access using a vascular plug, and provide a review of recent literature on closure methods and outcomes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sequential percutaneous closure of mitral prosthetic paravalvular leak and complex communicating pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta and subvalvar left ventricular outflow tract.

Ascending aortic and subvalvar left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) pseudoaneurysms are rare complications following aortic valve or root replacement surgery. Clinically important paravalvular leaks are rare complications following any valve replacement surgery. We report an unusual case of sequential percutaneous closure of mitral prosthetic paravalvular leak and complex communicating ascending aortic and subvalvar LVOT pseudoaneurysms, which demonstrates the importance of multimodal imaging assessment surrounding percutaneous closure. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aneurismas y divertículos cardíacos congénitos: reporte de una serie pediátrica / Congenital cardiac aneurysms and diverticula: a pediatric series

Introduccion: Los aneurismas y divertículos cardíacos congénitos constituyen malformaciones poco frecuentes y generalmente comprometen el ventrículo izquierdo. Pueden presentarse en forma asintomática, causar embolización, arritmia, insuficiencia cardíaca, rotura o muerte súbita. La ecocardiografía Doppler color realiza el diagnóstico y detecta malformaciones asociadas. La terapia puede ser médica o quirúrgica dependiendo de la presentación clínica y de los hallazgos en cada paciente. Método: Estudio retrospectivo de 5 pacientes durante un período de diez años, uno con divertículo, cuatro con aneurismas, en los cuales se analizó sexo, edad, motivo de consulta, sintomatología, hallazgos al examen físico, malformaciones extracardíacas o cardíacas asociadas. La ecocardiografía confirmó el diagnóstico y analizó la localización, efecto sobre la función cardíaca y presencia de complicaciones. Se estudió el tipo de tratamiento elegido como terapia antiplaquetaria, antiarrítmica o quirúrgica, además del seguimiento. Resultados: De un total de 5 pacientes, tres eran hombres, la mediana de edad al diagnóstico fue de 13 meses; dos de diagnóstico antenatal. Soplo cardíaco (3/5) fue el principal hecho que motivó el estudio. La ubicación más frecuente fue en el ventrículo izquierdo y la malformación cardíaca asociada la comunicación interventricular (2 pacientes). La terapia elegida fue médica en todos los pacientes con aspirina y en un caso se agregó atenolol por taquicardia ventricular no sostenida. Ningún paciente falleció. Conclusion: Constituye la primera publicación sobre esta patología en nuestro país; si bien es una serie pequeña, aporta aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos y de seguimiento que ayudan a sospechar esta rara malformación en el paciente pediátrico.

Introduction: Congenital cardiac aneurysms and diverticula are rare cardiac malformations which mainly affects the left ventricle. Clinically, most are asymptomatic or may cause systemic embolization, arrhyth-mia, heart failure, ventricular wall rupture or sudden cardiac death. Doppler echocardiography establishes the diagnosis and can detect associated malformations. Treatment may be medical or surgical, depending on findings. Patients and Methods: Retrospective study of 5 patients followed for ten years. One patient presented with a diverticulum and four with aneurysms. We analyzed sex, age at diagnosis, symptoms, physical examination, and associated cardiac and extracardiac malformations. Echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis and established location, cardiac function, and presence of complications. We analyzed the treatments used: antiplatelet, anti-arrhythmic or surgical therapy, and follow up. Results: Three were males, the median age at diagnosis was 13 months; in two patients the diagnosis was made before birth. Heart murmur in 3 of 5 patients was the main presenting finding. The most frequent location was the left ventricle and the associated cardiac malformation was ventricular septal defect in 2 patients. All patients were treated with aspirin. One patient with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia received ateno-lol. There were no deaths. Conclusion: This is the first report of this disease in our country. Although it is a small series it provides important clinical aspects for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up that help us suspect this rare malformation in pediatric patients.

Left atrial dissection.

Left atrial (LA) dissection is a rare complication and is defined as a gap from the mitral or tricuspid annular area to the interatrial septum or left atrial wall. Because of its low incidence, this entity is not fully understood. LA dissection is related to mitral valve surgery as well as coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, trauma, tumor, and spontaneous occurrence. Transesophageal echocardiography is the most useful diagnostic modality for LA dissection, but multimodality investigation supports accurate diagnosis. There are two treatment options for LA dissection: surgical repair and close observation. Surgical repair involves entry closure and internal drainage. The indication for surgery should be based on the clinical presentation.

Novel approach for the percutaneous treatment of left ventricular pseudoaneurysms.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVPA) is a rare yet serious complication that may follow cardiac surgery, myocardial infarction, trauma, or infection. If left untreated, reported rates of rupture and sudden cardiac death are high. Although surgical intervention has traditionally been the standard treatment for LVPA, percutaneous closure is now an attractive alternative in the high-risk patient. We report a case of a successful percutaneous LVPA closure using direct chest wall entry into the pseudoaneurysm. This novel approach can be useful when access to the LVPA is a challenge, especially in the setting of small ostial size, dense left ventricular trabeculations, angulated serpiginous tract, and presence of mechanical prostheses.

Epicardial catheter-based ventricular reconstruction (ECVR) in a patient with ischemic heart failure and an anteroapical aneurysm.

Extended anterior myocardial infarction (MI) is frequently followed by left ventricular (LV) remodeling ensuing in heart failure and aneurysmatic transformation of the infarcted myocardial segment. Therapies that attenuate or reverse pathological LV remodeling have been shown to improve functional status and outcomes. This case reports our recent experience with a catheter based technique for ventricular restoration.

[62-year old male patient with position-depending dyspnoe after hemipneumectomia]. / 62-jähriger Patient mit lageabhängiger Dyspnoe nach einseitiger Pneumektomie.

BACKGROUND: Dyspnoe is a symptom with a huge differential diagnostic spectrum. According to patients hemodynamic, acute forms can be caused by myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema and heart rhythm disturbances while chronic forms can be caused by restrictive myocardial and pericardial diseases, hematooncological diseases, orthopedic deformations and chronic pulmonary diseases. The platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome with underlying interatrial connection is a rare cause and need a special diagnostic work-up. CASE REPORT: A 62-year old male patient with previously known pneumectomy on right side due to underlying cancer presented with a 6-months history of increasing dyspnoe (NYHA III) on exertion and upright position. The physical examination just revealed a lack of ventilation on right side. The saturation drops from 97% in supine position to 68% in upright position. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a compressed right atrium with a persisted foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal aneurysm resulting in a right-left shunt. After completing diagnostic work-up and excluding other possible causes for dyspnoe an interventional closure of interatrial connection was performed. Subsequently the symptoms of the patients resolved (NYHA I). CONCLUSION: The Platypnea-Orthodeoxia-Syndrome isa rare cause of dyspoe. The diagnosis can be made by echocardiography. Medical treatment of such disease is of less success, thus a closure of interatrial connection is recommended.