[Subacute Pseudoaneurysm Formation after Sutureless Repair for Postinfarction Left Ventricular Rupture:Report of a...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Left ventricular free wall rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infarction.
• Cardiac tamponade resulting from such rupture requires urgent intervention.
• Pseudoaneurysms can develop as a delayed complication following initial rupture and repair.

Observation:

• A 71-year-old female presented with cardiac tamponade secondary to left ventricular free wall rupture.
• Initial sutureless repair addressed bleeding, but a pseudoaneurysm developed 15 days later.
• Computed tomography revealed the enlarged pseudoaneurysm, necessitating further intervention.

Findings:

• A secondary surgical procedure involving patch closure with a vascular prosthesis via left thoracotomy was performed for the left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.
• The patient experienced no recurrence of the left ventricular aneurysm post-intervention.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for pseudoaneurysm formation after initial repair of ventricular wall rupture.
• Surgical management with vascular prosthesis offers an effective solution for managing left ventricular pseudoaneurysms.
• Early detection and timely surgical intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes in such complex cardiac cases.