Fatal Left Ventricular Aneurysm in a 13 Years Old Male Child: A Case Report
Tsion Tilahun1, Elias Kedir2, Beza Eshetu1
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Jimma University.
Insights
Congenital ventricular aneurysm is a rare heart defect. This case highlights the critical need for prompt diagnosis and management of this life-threatening condition in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Congenital ventricular aneurysm is a rare cardiac anomaly characterized by a protuberance of the left ventricle.
- Histologically, it features fibrous tissue without organized myocardium, differing from ventricular diverticula.
- Clinical presentations include arrhythmia, rupture, and heart failure.
Observation:
- A 13-year-old presented with acute heart failure symptoms including dyspnea and orthopnea.
- Echocardiography identified a cystic mass at the cardiac apex with left ventricular communication and Doppler flow.
- CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of apical ventricular aneurysm.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited symptoms consistent with advanced heart failure.
- Diagnostic imaging revealed a rare congenital ventricular aneurysm at the apex.
- Despite management efforts, the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated.
Implications:
- Congenital ventricular aneurysm requires precise diagnostic evaluation.
- Early recognition and intervention are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare cardiac anomalies in pediatric heart failure.
Background:
A pouch protruding from the free wall of the left ventricle may be either a congenital ventricular diverticulum or congenital ventricular aneurysm. Congenital ventricular aneurism is a ventricular protuberance which is a kinetic or dyskinetic and on histology is predominantly fibrous tissue with no organized myocardium. Common clinical presentations of congenital ventricular aneurism are arrhythmia, rupture and heart failure.
Case Detail:
A 13 year old patient presented with shortness of breath, fever, orthopnea of two pillows and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea of one week duration. Echocardiography revealed cystic mass seen at the apex of the heart communicating with left ventricle, with communicating defect and flow on color Doppler study. CT scan showed ventricular aneurism at the apex. The patient was managed for heart failure and passed away after few hours' of establishing diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Congenital ventricular aneurysm is a rare condition which needs careful diagnosis for subsequent management.
