Computed tomography of a broken heart: chronic left ventricular pseudoaneurysm

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• A 77-year-old male with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) developed a large left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVPA).
• Long-term survival with an unoperated LVPA is uncommon, highlighting the complexity of this cardiac condition.

Observation:

• Multislice cardiac computed tomography (CT) was utilized to image the patient.
• The CT scans provided detailed anatomical assessment of the LVPA.
• Noninvasive evaluation of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) vessel patency was achieved.

Findings:

• CT enabled precise characterization of the LVPA's anatomy.
• The patency of the bypass grafts was successfully assessed noninvasively.
• The findings were crucial for planning surgical intervention in a high-risk patient.

Implications:

• Cardiac CT is a valuable tool for evaluating complex post-surgical cardiac complications like LVPAs.
• Accurate anatomical and graft patency assessment via CT significantly aids surgical decision-making.
• This case underscores the importance of advanced imaging in managing high-risk cardiac patients.