Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm: A Rare but Fatal Complication of Myocardial Infarction.

ABSTRACT

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a ventricular free wall rupture contained within the adjacent adherent pericardium or scar tissue. Myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac surgery, and chest trauma are the common causes. The most common presenting symptoms of pseudoaneurysms are congestive heart failure, chest pain, and dyspnea, but a small percentage of patients may be asymptomatic. Early diagnosis and treatment are of prime importance because of the tendency of pseudoaneurysms to expand and rupture, with a high mortality rate, especially if left untreated. We present a case of a 65-year-old man who was found to have left ventricular pseudoaneurysm on a follow-up echocardiography within three weeks of an MI. He subsequently underwent patch repair and was discharged after medical optimization. Our case highlights the importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion of pseudoaneurysm in a patient post-MI, as delayed diagnosis and treatment can be fatal.