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[Left ventricular aneurysm in recent myocardial infarction. Echocardiographic study]
Giornale Italiano Di Cardiologia
|December 1, 1984
Summary
Left ventricular aneurysm is a common early complication after myocardial infarction. Two-dimensional echocardiography effectively detects these aneurysms and their associated pathological features.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Pathology
Context:
- Left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) is a serious complication following myocardial infarction (MI).
- Accurate incidence and pathological data are crucial for clinical management.
- Previous studies show wide incidence variations due to diagnostic criteria.
Purpose:
- To determine the incidence and pathological features of LVAs using two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE).
- To assess the diagnostic utility of 2DE in identifying LVAs post-MI.
Summary:
- 410 patients were studied 3-8 weeks post-MI using 2DE.
- An LVA incidence of 10.6% was found in 395 patients with adequate echograms.
- Anterior MIs showed a higher LVA incidence (17%) compared to inferior MIs (1.9%).
- Aneurysms were often apical or apical-anterior (59.5%).
- Intraaneurysmal thrombi were present in 57.1% of cases.
- Pericardial effusion was more frequent in patients with LVAs (28.6%) vs. without (7.9%).
- Associated complications included heart failure (45.2%), mitral regurgitation (7.1%), systemic emboli (9.5%), arrhythmias (9.5%), and angina (11.9%).
Impact:
- 2DE is a valuable non-invasive tool for screening and characterizing LVAs.
- Early detection of LVA can guide therapeutic interventions and improve patient outcomes.
- Findings highlight the importance of evaluating LVA in patients with anterior MIs.