LEFT VENTRICULAR PSEUDOANEURYSM OF AN UNKNOWN ETIOLOGY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

SHI-MIN YUAN*, HONG LIN**

*Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery - **Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Putian, Teaching Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Putian, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China

Introduction: Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm of an unknown etiology is extremely rare. The clinical symptoms and previous medical history of the patients are often unremarkable. A delayed or missed diagnosis often occurs. This article aims to make a systematic review based on literature retrieval and a recent patient of our own.

Methods: In total 22 patients with left ventricular pseudoaneurysm of an unknown etiology were recruited including 21 patients from literature retrieval and one recent patient of this hospital.

Results: An apical pansystolic murmur can be audible by auscultation. The diagnosis of the left ventricular pseudoaneurysm relies on transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiography, which reveals a large left ventricular pseudoaneurysm at the apex communicating with the left ventricular cavity through a narrow neck, thickening of the posterolateral papillary muscles, and mild-to-moderate mitral regurgitation.

Conclusion: Due to the high propensity of pseudoaneurysmal rupture, a surgical repair or percuteneous closure is recommended after a diagnosis is made.