Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm After Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• A 66-year-old female patient with a history of antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus-like mixed connective tissue disease presented with fatigue and dyspnea.
• Her medical history included chronic anemia, smoking, dyslipidemia, and recent acute coronary syndrome complicated by postinfarction pericarditis.

Observation:

• Coronary angiography revealed moderate disease of the left anterior descending artery and circumflex artery occlusion.
• Echocardiography demonstrated a discontinuity in the left ventricle's lateral and posterior walls, forming a thin-walled, loculated cavity with Doppler blood flow.

Findings:

• The echocardiographic findings were consistent with a diagnosis of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.
• This rare cardiac complication necessitated surgical treatment.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering pseudoaneurysm formation in patients with complex cardiac histories, particularly after myocardial infarction and pericarditis.
• Early diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes in patients with left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.