Right Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm Following Endomyocardial Biopsy

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Transplantation Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Endomyocardial biopsy is crucial for monitoring heart transplant rejection.
• Ventricular perforation is a rare but serious complication following this procedure.
• Pseudoaneurysm formation can occur secondary to cardiac trauma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a unique case of asymptomatic ventricular perforation after endomyocardial biopsy.
• To describe the diagnostic approach and natural history of a post-biopsy pseudoaneurysm.
• To discuss the implications for patient management in heart transplantation.

Main Methods:

• Case report presentation.
• Diagnostic angiography to identify ventricular perforation and pseudoaneurysm.
• Serial observation to assess pseudoaneurysm evolution.

Main Results:

• An asymptomatic right ventricular perforation and pseudoaneurysm were diagnosed via angiography.
• The pseudoaneurysm demonstrated spontaneous obliteration during follow-up.
• No immediate intervention was required for the perforation or pseudoaneurysm.

Conclusions:

• Ventricular perforation post-endomyocardial biopsy can be asymptomatic.
• Spontaneous resolution of pseudoaneurysms is possible, suggesting conservative management may be appropriate.
• This case expands understanding of rare complications in heart transplant recipients.