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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Left ventricular aneurysm: comprehensive assessment of morphology, structure and thrombus using cardiovascular
1Cardiovascular MR Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK. grant.heatlie@virgin.net
Insights
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging accurately identifies left ventricular aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms. This technique is crucial for diagnosing these conditions and detecting associated thrombus or myocardial viability.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Diagnostic Cardiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Left ventricular aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms are serious cardiac conditions.
- Accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate patient management and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for left ventricular aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.
- To assess CMR's ability to detect thrombus and evaluate myocardial viability in affected patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 27 patients diagnosed with left ventricular aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm.
- Patients underwent CMR at a tertiary referral center between 2000 and 2003.
Main Results:
- CMR confirmed true aneurysms in 7 cases.
- Unsuspected thrombus was identified in 7 patients.
- Unsuspected pseudoaneurysms were detected in 7 cases, and unsuspected aneurysms in 6 cases.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging significantly refines the diagnosis of left ventricular aneurysms.
- CMR should be considered in all patients with suspected or confirmed left ventricular aneurysms.
Aim:
To demonstrate that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques provide unique and definitive information on the presence, location, size and nature of left ventricular aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm, the presence of thrombus and the viability of myocardium.
Method:
A retrospective study of 27 patients with a final diagnosis of left ventricular aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm, who underwent CMR at a tertiary referral centre in the period between 2000 and 2003.
Results:
In 7 cases the correct diagnosis of true aneurysm was confirmed; in 7 cases previously unsuspected thrombus was identified; in 7 cases an unsuspected pseudoaneurysm was identified; and in a further 6 cases a previously unsuspected aneurysm was identified.
Conclusion:
CMR refined the diagnosis in the majority of patients with left ventricular aneurysm, and should be considered in all cases of confirmed or suspected left ventricular aneurysm.
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