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[Thin-walled apical ventricular aneurysm associated with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy]
K Kappert1, K La Rosée, T Karasch
1Klinik III für Innere Medizin, Universität Köln, Cologne.
Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|June 13, 2003
Summary
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) can lead to left ventricular apical aneurysms. Surgical resection (aneurysmectomy) is recommended for rapidly growing aneurysms to prevent rupture.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- A 73-year-old patient with pre-diagnosed hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), arterial hypertension, and dyspnea on exertion underwent routine follow-up.
- HOCM is a condition characterized by thickening of the heart muscle, potentially leading to complications.
Observation:
- Echocardiography revealed a large apical left ventricular aneurysm that had significantly increased in size over six months.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging confirmed the aneurysm and showed a markedly thin wall (≤2 mm).
Findings:
- The rapidly enlarging aneurysm with an extremely thin wall posed a high risk of spontaneous rupture.
- Intraoperative findings confirmed the echocardiographic and NMR results.
Implications:
- Aneurysms of the apical left ventricle can be a manifestation of underlying HOCM.
- Prompt surgical intervention (aneurysmectomy) is crucial for managing rapidly growing apical left ventricular aneurysms in HOCM patients to prevent catastrophic rupture.
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