A giant calcified aneurysm of the basal inferior wall: a rare phenomenon

Pan Afr Med J. 2020 Oct 29:37:193. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.193.26214. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Left ventricular aneurysms (LVA) are mainly a late consequence of transmural myocardial infarction. Approximately 80% of LVA are located in the anterior and/or apical walls, most commonly associated with left anterior descending artery occlusion but any region may be engaged. Basal inferior wall aneurysms are rare and constitute nearly 3% of all LVA. A calcified LVA is seldom observed in modern clinical practice. And a calcified basal inferior LVA is an even rarer coincidence. We report a case of an 82-year-old women with life threatening arrhythmia revealing a giant calcified aneurysm of the basal inferior wall, medically treated with good outcomes. The exact incidence of left ventricular aneurysms (LVA) following myocardial infarctions is hard to precise but it is clearly decreasing. Eighty percent (80%) of LVA are located in the anterior or apical walls, but any region may be engaged. Basal inferior wall aneurysms constitute 3% of all LVA. Echocardiography is the first diagnostic tool and there is still no clear guidelines on how to treat LVAs. Surgery is preferred but medical treatment may help improve the quality of life.

Keywords: Aneurysm; basal wall; left ventricle; myocardial infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Aneurysm / etiology
  • Heart Aneurysm / surgery
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology*
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications*
  • Quality of Life