Management of Left Ventricular Aneurysm: A Study from Iraq

Background: The most appropriate surgical approach for post-myocardial infarction left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) is controversial. This study aims to display the results of surgical treatment of LVA in a major Iraqi cardiac surgical center. Methods: The surgical management of LVAs over the period 2001 to 2011 was retrospectively reviewed. The presenting signs and symptoms, results of investigations, operative findings, and outcomes of patients were determined. Results: Twenty-seven true LVAs associated with 4 ventricular septal defects (VSDs) were treated surgically. During the same period, 1136 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operations were done, thus LVA represented 2.4%. Males constituted the majority (74.1%). The mean age was 54.6 years old. The typical ECG changes were seen in 42.1%. Apical and antero-apical locations predominated. The majority of patients (84.2%) had subnormal values of ejection fraction (EF). Most patients had multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). The most frequent was the left anterior descending artery (LAD). All patients had CABG except 3. Linear repair and Dor technique were used equally. The commonest postoperative complication was bleeding (38.4%). The overall hospital mortality was 18.5%. Conclusion: Concomitant CABG improves early postoperative course and must be added when significant lesions in coronary arteries particularly the LAD are present.