Distinguishing left ventricular aneurysm from pseudoaneurysm: A review of the literature

Steven L. Brown, Robert J. Gropler, Kevin M. Harris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

98 Scopus citations

Abstract

A postmyocardial infarction left ventricular pseudoaneurysm occurs when a rupture of the ventricular free wall is contained by overlying, adherent pericardium. A postinfarction aneurysm, in contrast, is caused by scar formation resulting in thinning of the myocardium. Although the usual treatment for patients with pseudoaneurysm is urgent surgical repair, the imaging characteristics of pseudoaneurysm and aneurysm, for which treatment is more conservative, are quite similar. The literature on the natural history and imaging characteristics of the two entities is reviewed, and an approach to distinguishing between the two entities is proposed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1403-1409
Number of pages7
JournalCHEST
Volume111
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • aneurysm
  • echocardiography
  • myocardial infarction
  • pseudoaneurysm

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