Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in the Piglet
Published on: November 4, 2015
Pseudo-aneurysm of left ventricle presenting as non-resolving chronic pericardial effusion
Rajeev Bhardwaj1, Arvind Kandoria, Arvind Sood
1Department of Cardiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla.
Insights
Left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm, a type of left ventricular free wall rupture, presents as localized blood collection. This case highlights a late-onset pseudo-aneurysm mimicking non-resolving pericardial effusion.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm is a rare complication of left ventricular free wall rupture.
- It involves blood collection within the pericardial sac through a defect in the ventricular wall.
Observation:
- Unlike a typical rupture, the blood in a pseudo-aneurysm is confined to a localized area due to adhesions between the ventricle and pericardium.
- This case presents a late-onset ventricular pseudo-aneurysm.
Findings:
- The pseudo-aneurysm mimicked a non-resolving pericardial effusion.
- This presentation can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Implications:
- Understanding this variation is crucial for accurate diagnosis of pericardial effusions.
- Early recognition of ventricular pseudo-aneurysm can prevent serious complications.
Abstract:
Left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm is a variation of left ventricular free wall rupture, in which collection of blood occurs in pericardial sac, through ventricular wall defect. In pseudo-aneurysm, blood from defect does not fill the entire pericardial sac. Instead, because of adhesions between ventricular wall and the sac, escaping blood is isolated to a localised area between wall and pericardium. Here a case of ventricular pseudo-aneurysm of late onset which behaved as non-resolving pericardial effusion is presented.
Related Concept Videos
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Pericarditis III: Medical Management
Pericarditis I: Introduction
Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

