A hole in the heart

Eur J Echocardiogr. 2010 Jul;11(6):E24. doi: 10.1093/ejechocard/jeq029. Epub 2010 Mar 10.

Abstract

We present the case of a 91-year-old male whose percutaneous aortic valve replacement was complicated by perforation of the left ventricular (LV) apex caused by an extra-stiff guidewire. Although two-dimensional echocardiography was able to demonstrate a small hole at the LV apex and the presence of an LV pseudo-aneurysm, the exact size and shape of the hole could not be readily appreciated. Thus, three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography was performed and an oval-shaped hole of roughly 0.8 cm(2) could be clearly visualized. This case illustrates the unique value of 3D echocardiography in visualizing geometry and flow across LV rupture sites.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aneurysm, False / pathology
  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary*
  • Aortic Valve / pathology*
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / instrumentation
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rupture / diagnostic imaging
  • Rupture / pathology
  • Rupture / therapy