Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysms in Children-A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Left ventricular pseudoaneurysms (LVPs) are uncommon cardiac abnormalities, particularly in pediatric populations.
• Potential causes in children include infection, trauma, ischemia, and post-cardiac surgery complications.
• Understanding the etiology and presentation of pediatric LVPs is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Observation:

• This report details three pediatric cases of left ventricular pseudoaneurysms managed at a single institution.
• Two patients presented with a history of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
• One patient had a preceding history of varicella zoster infection.

Findings:

• The study identifies extrapulmonary tuberculosis and varicella zoster infection as potential, albeit rare, preceding conditions for left ventricular pseudoaneurysms in children.
• These findings expand the known spectrum of etiologies for pediatric LVPs.
• The cases underscore the importance of considering infectious origins in the differential diagnosis.

Implications:

• Early recognition of infectious triggers can aid in the diagnosis of pediatric left ventricular pseudoaneurysms.
• Further research into the mechanisms linking these infections to cardiac complications is warranted.
• This case series may inform clinical guidelines for managing rare pediatric cardiac conditions.