Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm

Cardiorrhexis, or rupture of the myocardium, is an uncommon event after acute myocardial infarction. It has serious consequences such as acute hemopericardium, cardiac tamponade, and sudden death. If the rupture remains enclosed by surrounding adhesions or an intact visceral pericardium, a pseudoaneurysm may develop. We describe a rather typical presentation of a pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle with resultant congestive heart failure after a silent myocardial infarction, and we point out the utility of prompt ultrasound examination in this clinical setting.