A congenital diverticulum of the left ventricular apex manifested by stroke and recurrent ventricular tachycardia

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Ventricular outpouchings encompass acquired (aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms) and congenital forms.
• Congenital ventricular diverticula (CVD) are rare cardiac pathologies, occasionally found in healthy individuals.
• CVD can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, often associated with other congenital anomalies.

Observation:

• A case of arrhythmogenic left ventricle (LV) apical CVD was initially overlooked by echocardiography.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) successfully revealed the congenital ventricular diverticula.
• The patient experienced recurrent ventricular tachycardia and stroke, suggesting potential complications of CVD.

Findings:

• CMRI is vital for diagnosing arrhythmogenic left ventricle apical CVD.
• CVD can be associated with serious complications like ventricular tachycardia and stroke.
• Multimodal imaging is essential for the accurate diagnosis and management of CVD.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering CVD in patients with unexplained ventricular arrhythmias or neurological events.
• A multimodal imaging approach, including CMRI, is recommended for definitive diagnosis of CVD.
• Early and accurate diagnosis of CVD can potentially prevent severe complications and improve patient outcomes.