Clinical characteristic and imaging findings of post-infarction left ventricular pseudoaneurysm versus aneurysm: a pooled analysis of 21,472 patients

Abstract

Background Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVPA) is a rare but life-threatening complication of myocardial infarction (MI). Given the similarities in the clinical presentations and the appearance of the cardiac imaging, differentiation of LVPA from left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) remains a challenge but is imperative for timely management. We summarized and compared clinical and imaging findings of post-MI LVPA and LVA. Method We performed a comprehensive search of the literature in PubMed and Scopus databases using combinations of key terms covering LVPA / LVA and MI. In both LVA and LVPA, individual-level patient data (IPD) and aggregated-level data (AD) studies were combined through a two-stage analysis method. Results We identified 379 eligible articles on LVPA (N= 504 patients) and 120 on LVA (n= 20,968). Based on our pooled analysis, cases were predominantly male in both groups (70.4%and 75.7 %, respectively), but LVPA patients were roughly older (Mean (95% Confidence interval (CI): (65.4 (62.4, 68.4) vs. 60.8 (58.9, 62.8) years, respectively) and had a shorter mean time interval from MI to diagnosis than LVA (5.1 vs. 27.8, months). At presentation, while 33.8 (95% CI: 22.1, 46.0) of patients with LVA had arrhythmia, only 1.0 % (95% CI: 0.0, 2.9) of LVPA patients presented with this symptom. LVPA compared to the LVA group, more frequently had ST-segment elevation (43.2% Vs. 28.6, respectively) but less frequently ECG signs of the old MI (42.2% Vs. 61.9, respectively). Echocardiography showed a lower diagnostic value in LVPA than LVA (Sensitivity: 81.4% Vs. 97.5%). Contrary to LVA, LVPA is mainly located on posterior and inferior segments based on echocardiography evaluations. On Cardiac MRI, the majority of LVPA patients had pericardial LGE (84.0% (CI 95%: 63.9, 95.5)). A higher percentage of LVPA compared to the LVA group dead during hospitalization (13.8% vs. 4.7%, respectively) or after discharge (17.5%vs. vs. 9.0%, respectively). Conclusion Arrhythmia is likely common in LVA patients at presentation but not in LVPA. LVPA is mainly located on the posterior and inferior, and LVA is on the anterior and apical segments. On cardiac MRI, pericardial LGE may suggest the presence of LVPA rather than LVA in suspected patients.