Left ventricular aneurysm: Comprehensive assessment of morphology, structure and thrombus using cardiovascular magnetic resonance

AIM: To demonstrate that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques provide unique and definitive information on the presence, location, size and nature of left ventricutar aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm, the presence of thrombus and the viability of myocardium. METHOD: A retrospective study of 27 patients with a final diagnosis of left ventricular aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm, who underwent CMR at a tertiary referral centre in the period between 2000 and 2003. RESULTS: In 7 cases the correct diagnosis of true aneurysm was confirmed; in 7 cases previously unsuspected thrombus was identified; in 7 cases an unsuspected pseudoaneurysm was identified; and in a further 6 cases a previously unsuspected aneurysm was identified. CONCLUSION: CMR refined the diagnosis in the majority of patients with left ventricular aneurysm, and should be considered in all cases of confirmed or suspected left ventricutar aneurysm. (c) 2005 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.