PATIENT HISTORY
A 67 year old male presents to the ER with complaints of chest pain.
- EKG showed ST segment elevation in V5/V6
ECHO FINDINGS
ANSWER: LV INFERIOR PSEUDOANEURYSM
Pseudoaneruysms of the left ventricle is a rare complication that results after a myocardial infarction (MI). These aneurysms are localized and contained within the pericardium. Those who are at higher risk for pseudoaneurysms include:
- Older population
- Females
- Hypertension
- Involve a inferior or lateral wall MI
ECHO FINDINGS:
- They present with a thin/narrow neck that bulges from the ventricular cavity.
- The segmental wall motion will display either dyskinetic or akinetic, in comparison to the rest of the ventricular myocardium.
- Pseudoaneurysms can be challenging to diagnosis on TTE and may require other modalities to confirm.
COMPLICATIONS:
- Pseudoaneurysms have a high mortality rate without surgical intervention.
- Delayed surgical intervention can increase risk of rupture.
- The stasis blood within the aneuruysm can cause risk for thrombosis and embolic event.
