Postinfarction ventricular aneurysm. Successful surgical treatment

Over a two-year period, 18 patients with postinfarction ventricular aneurysms were treated surgically. There were no operative or early deaths, and only one (5.5%) late (20 months) death. The indications for surgery included angina, congestive heart failure, and serious arrhythmias. Electrocardiograms and plain chest roentgenograms were unreliable in making the diagnosis. All patients had cardiac catheterization and, at operation, a definite localized aneurysm was demonstrable. In 15 patients (83%), coronary artery bypass grafts were performed at the time the aneurysm was excised. Good results should be expected from surgical treatment of symptomatic ventricular aneurysms. Simultaneous bypass grafting should be performed when indicated.