True acquired left ventricular aneurysms in childhood

True left ventricular aneurysms are rarely encountered in childhood. Etiological factors are varied and often indeterminable. There is a paucity of literature detailing the surgical techniques used to repair pediatric aneurysms.

Three children aged 21 months, 19 months and 5 years with true left ventricular aneurysms underwent surgical repair in our unit. The clinical details, surgical technique, histological review, hospital outcome and short term follow-up is discussed.

Two patients underwent repair of their aneurysms by means of the Cooley endoaneurysmorraphy technique, and 1 patient underwent repair using the aneurysm resection and linear plication technique. Histological examination revealed tuberculosis to be the etiological factor in one patient, while a non-specific vasculitis was present in the other 2 patients. Immediate postoperative course was uneventful and all 3 patients were discharged from hospital within one week. Two patients were recatheterized during follow-up visits. All patients were asymptomatic at 1 year follow-up. Echocardiography demonstrated good left ventricular function with disappearance of preoperative mitral regurgitation.

Pediatric left ventricular aneurysms may be successfully repaired using standard operative techniques. These techniques render excellent short-term

Longer follow-up is needed to fully evaluate the outcome of these children.