Subepicardial aneurysm: echocardiographic evaluation and evolution.
Subepicardial aneurysms (SEA) are an infrequent and serious form of subacute cardiac rupture complicating myocardial infarction. An early diagnosis and surgical repair may be life saving. SEA comprise an abrupt interruption of the myocardium, with a narrow neck and thin wall containing only the epicardium. It may progress to fatal cardiorrhexis. We describe the echocardiographic evolution of this type of cardiac rupture and the contribution of contrast-enhanced echocardiography. A possible pathophysiological mechanism is proposed.
Department of Echocardiography, Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico. roldan@cardiologia.org.mx
Francisco-Javier
FJ
Roldán
Jesús
J
Vargas-Barrón
Marlon
M
Aguirre-Espìnosa
Angel
A
Romero-Cárdenas
Clara
C
Vázquez-Antona
Julio
J
Erdmenger-Orellana
José-Emilio
JE
Exaire
Marco-Antonio
MA
Martínez-Ríos
D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D010496:Pericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*