Ruptured left ventricular pseudoaneurysm in the mediastinum following acute myocardial infarction: a case report

Eur J Med Res. 2013 Jan 21;18(1):2. doi: 10.1186/2047-783X-18-2.

Abstract

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon complication after transmural acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Here we describe the case of a 43-year-old man who presented with AMI and chest distress despite the normal appearance of his coronary artery during coronary angiography. Timely thrombolytic therapy was administered. Echocardiography, and cardiac computed tomography showed a ventricular pseudoaneurysm, and direct visualization at the time of surgery showed that it had ruptured in the mediastinum instead of the pericardium. The survival rate of patients with ventricular pseudoaneurysm rupture is low. The rupture of ventricular pseudoaneurysm in the mediastinum is rare; therefore, this case is noteworthy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology*
  • Aneurysm, False / surgery
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / etiology*
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / surgery
  • Heart Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Aneurysm / etiology
  • Heart Aneurysm / surgery
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology*
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinum / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinum / pathology*
  • Mediastinum / surgery
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications*
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocardial Infarction / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography