[False left ventricular aneurysm: report of 5 cases]

Between 1972 and 2000, left ventricular false aneurysm was diagnosed in 5 patients. These patients consisted of three man and 2 women, aged between 58 and 70 years. Clinical presentation was characterized by severe heart failure, complicating a posterior myocardial infarction, in 4 patients. Left ventricular angiography, has confirmed the false aneurysm in all patients. Three patients underwent surgical management, with good result in 2 cases (follow-up of 9 and 13 years), and an early postoperative death in one case. Two patients refused surgery and died suddenly. Ischemic myocardial disease, represent the most frequent etiology. Left ventricular false aneurysm prognosis should be improved by emergent surgical management, preventing fatal rupture.