Pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle

Pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle is relatively rare. Five patients aged 50-61 years with this disorder are the subject of this report. In 4, the pseudoaneurysm occurred following myocardial infarction and in one after aortic valve replacement. The symptoms appeared 3 months to 12 years after the primary event. Clinically, all were admitted with congestive heart failure combined with some degree of angina. In four patients the diagnosis was made by ventriculography and in one case by a multiple gated acquisition radionucleide scan (MUGA). All were operated on soon after diagnosis. In two patients direct suture closure of the orifice was carried out, while in the other three a synthetic patch was necessary to close the aperture. Four patients survived operation and are well two to 14 years following surgery. The literature on post infarction pseudoaneurysm is reviewed and analyzed. This study argues for early surgical treatment, affording relatively low postoperative mortality.