Intraoperative real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography as a precise navigator for a successful complicated postoperative left ventricular pseudoaneurysm repair: a case report

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LV-PAN) formation is a rare complication after cardiac surgery and mainly occurs after mitral valve surgery. Echocardiography plays a critical role in the assessment of rupture location, orifice geometry, and anatomical relationship with surrounding structures. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old man presented with LV-PAN formation 1 year after aortic root replacement combined with aortic replacement despite the lack of direct manipulation of the rupture site in the procedure and postoperative myocardial infarction. Intraoperative real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT 3-D TEE) during surgical repair of the LV-PAN facilitated understanding of the shape of the LV-PAN orifice and the exact anatomical relationship between the rupture site and the posteromedial papillary muscle. Information sharing with surgeons contributed to avoiding direct papillary muscle injury and thus mitral valve deformation. CONCLUSION: LV-PAN formation after cardiac surgery can present without direct manipulation of the rupture site and major coronary lesion. Intraoperative RT 3-D TEE can facilitate better understanding of the anatomical relationship between the rupture site and the posteromedial papillary muscle and allow for information sharing to avoid complications during surgical repair.