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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-related left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: A case report
Katsuya Hashimoto1, Hiroyuki Yamamoto1,2, Atsushi Harada3
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Narita-Tomisato Tokushukai Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
Insights
This case study presents the first instance of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-related left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVP) mimicking cardiac rupture. Early diagnosis and management of HCM-related LVP are critical for patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVP) is a rare but fatal complication of left ventricular rupture, distinct from true aneurysms often seen in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
- Differentiating LVP from true aneurysms is critical due to differing natural histories and treatment strategies.
- The incidence and management of HCM-related LVP remain largely unknown, necessitating further investigation.
Observation:
- An 88-year-old male presented with chest pain, echocardiography revealed left ventricular hypertrophy and outflow tract obstruction.
- Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was crucial in diagnosing LVP with signs of impending cardiac rupture.
- Despite medical management, the patient's condition deteriorated, leading to semi-urgent surgical repair.
Findings:
- Surgical findings and subsequent pathology confirmed LVP with adjacent myocardial tissue consistent with HCM.
- This represents the first reported case of HCM-related LVP presenting as impending cardiac rupture.
- Postoperative hypotension was noted, and the patient ultimately died of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering HCM-related LVP in patients with left ventricular outpouching.
- CCTA plays a vital role in the diagnosis of LVP.
- Accumulating data on the management of HCM-related LVP is essential for future clinical practice.
Background:
Myocardial infarction-related left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVP), covered by the adjacent pericardial or scar tissue, is a fatal sequela of left ventricular rupture. Whereas hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may cause left ventricular true aneurysm. Differentiating LVP from left ventricular true aneurysm is crucial because their natural histories and treatment strategies are distinct. However, the incidence and management of HCM-related LVP remain unknown.
Case Presentation:
An 88-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with sudden-onset chest pain. Upon initial examination, vital signs were stable, and a grade 4/6 systolic murmur was noted. An electrocardiogram revealed atrial fibrillation and poor R-wave progression without ST-T changes or negative T-waves. An echocardiography showed mild left ventricular hypertrophy, mid-ventricular obstruction with a significant intraventricular pressure gradient, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and a small left ventricular apical outpouching. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) assisted in the diagnosis of LVP, and an accompanying pericardial effusion suggested impending cardiac rupture. Because the patient initially refused our proposed urgent surgery, medication was initiated with continuous hemodynamic monitoring in the intensive care unit; however, the patient's condition did not improve. During a semi-urgent surgical repair of the aneurysmal wall, LVP was observed and confirmed by pathology. Myocardial tissue adjacent to the pseudoaneurysm was consistent with that of HCM. Subsequently, a final diagnosis of HCM-related LVP was made. The postoperative course was notable for transient profound hypotension. Thereafter, the patient died of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia on day 6.
Conclusions:
To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HCM-related LVP mimicking impending cardiac rupture. Our case highlights the importance of considering HCM-related LVP in patients with left ventricular outpouching and CCTA in the LVP diagnosis. In further research, data on the appropriate management of HCM-related LVP should be accumulated.
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