What is Ventricular Aneurysm?
Cardiothoracic surgeons describe a ventricular aneurysm as a condition in which there is a bulging of the wall of a lower chamber (ventricle) of the heart when the heart muscle contracts to pump blood out to the body. It is one of the mechanical complications that occur after a heart attack and can develop between 2 days to 2-4 weeks after myocardial infarction. While an aneurysm or bulge can occur in either the right ventricle where it is called a right ventricular aneurysm, between the wall that separates the two lower chambers and is called the ventricular septal aneurysm, the most common site for the occurrence of the aneurysm is the left ventricle and is called left ventricular aneurysm or LV aneurysm.
How is a ventricular aneurysm diagnosed?
The diagnosis of a ventricular aneurysm is done primarily with the help of clinical examinations and medical history and investigations that include
- ECG or Electrocardiogram – ventricular aneurysms show characteristic features on an ECG such as changes in R waves and persistently elevated ST waves
- Imaging tests –
- Chest X-rays
- A contrast CT scan – is a reliable imaging test for visualizing a ventricular aneurysm
- MRI scan – is a non-invasive imaging test to not only visualize the aneurysm but to also assess the viability of resection
- 2 D Echocardiography – can help visualize the ventricular aneurysm and also differentiate between a true aneurysm and a pseudoaneurysm
- Angiography and Left Ventriculography – is considered as the most reliable test for identifying a ventricular aneurysm
- Nuclear Imaging – is done in the form of radionuclide ventriculography
How is a ventricular aneurysm treated?
The treatment of ventricular aneurysms by the Best CT surgeon in Indore near you is done either medically or through surgical procedures. The decision of the type of treatment for ventricular aneurysms depends on the size of the aneurysm, the location of the aneurysm, the presence of symptoms, and other complications.
Medical Treatment of ventricular aneurysms – is done for small-sized aneurysms that are asymptomatic. It primarily includes monitoring and follow-up check-ups along with some therapeutic agents that include
- Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
- Anticoagulant agents – to prevent thromboembolism
Surgical Treatment of ventricular aneurysms – is done through various surgical procedures that are done as open heart surgeries. Surgical procedures for the treatment of ventricular aneurysms are required or considered under the following circumstances that include:
- Large sized aneurysm
- An aneurysm that is expanding or growing in size over time during follow-ups
- There are severe symptoms such as chest pain and breathing difficulties
- Heart failure is present
- Heart arrhythmias are present
- The aneurysm is a pseudoaneurysm
- The aneurysm is a congenital aneurysm
The surgical treatment of ventricular arrhythmias includes three main procedures that require open heart surgery and the use of a heart-lung machine. The three main procedures that are done include
- Aneurysmectomy –
- Aneurysmorrhaphy
- Ventricular Restoration
Surgical treatment may not be advisable or possible in individuals, who are unable to be put under general anesthesia, have severe cardiac dysfunction, have severe mitral regurgitation, and have a low cardiac index.
The treatment of a pseudoaneurysm is however usually done as a minimally invasive done as percutaneous trans-catheter device closure procedure, and surgical treatment is the only choice of treatment for a ventricular pseudoaneurysm.
Myocardial infarction or a heart attack can have many complications that affect both the heart and the rest of the body. The development of mechanical complications such as ventricular aneurysms in individuals with a heart attack is higher when there are certain risk factors. It is important to take measures to prevent a heart attack rather than having to deal with the myriad of complications that can develop after an attack has occurred. It is therefore essential to get regular medical consultations with qualified specialists by booking a doctor appointment online and seeking their advice and tips to maintain a healthy heart through lifestyle modifications and keeping other risk factors under control.
