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Updated: May 29, 2026
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Intracardiac echocardiography and fluoroscopy guided percutaneous left ventricular pseudoaneurysm closure
Yonathan F Melman1, Michael S Levy, Roger J Laham
1Cardiology Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Insights
Percutaneous closure of left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysms offers a safe alternative to surgery for high-risk patients. Advanced imaging and guidance are crucial for successful minimally invasive treatment of this rare cardiac complication.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm is a rare but serious complication following myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery.
- Traditional treatment involves surgical correction, which carries significant risks for high-risk patients.
Observation:
- A case of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm, identified using 3D echocardiography and cardiac CT, is presented.
- The pseudoaneurysm was successfully closed percutaneously under intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and fluoroscopy guidance.
Findings:
- Percutaneous closure of LV pseudoaneurysms is demonstrated as a safe and feasible procedure.
- Meticulous planning and precise imaging guidance are essential for achieving excellent outcomes.
Implications:
- This minimally invasive approach may serve as a viable alternative to surgery for select high-risk patients.
- The successful application of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) highlights its utility in complex percutaneous cardiac interventions.
Abstract:
Left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication after myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery. Standard treatment remains surgical correction; however, percutaneous closure has been attempted in high risk surgical patients. We report a case of three dimensional echocardiography and cardiac CT defined LV pseudoaneurysm which was closed percutaneously using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and fluoroscopy guidance. Appropriate planning and guidance proved essential to the procedure with an excellent outcome. Percutaneous closure of LV pseudoaneurysms is safe and feasible in high risk surgical patients and with appropriate imaging modalities may be an alternative to surgical correction.
