False aneurysm of a left ventricular stab wound for left vent during extracorporeal circulation--case report

The left ventricular apical stab wound had been used for instrumentation and venting since 1923. Despite the frequent use of this myotomy, only a few complications and even fewer operative corrections have been reported. One of these complications is a false aneurysm, its reported etiology being infection or suture failure. In this case we describe a case of left ventricular false aneurysm formation most likely due to suddenly increased intrathoracic pressure, 6 months after coronary artery bypass grafting. Evidence for likely causes, such as infection, suture failure or poor myocardial quality, was not found. As etiology we suspect an acute elevation of ventricular pressure superimposed upon poorly regenerated myocardium.