Background. Left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) is rarely reported, and the incidence, pathogenesis and clinical features of LVA in IDCM are poorly understood.
Methods. The diagnosis of IDCM with LVA formation was made in six patients between January 2003 and September 2008. Left ventriculography, coronary angiography, echocardiogram and electrocardiogram were performed in all patients. The hospital records of these patients with IDCM in our hospital and related literature were reviewed.
Results. LVA was located at the posterobasal wall in five patients and at the anterolateral wall in one patient. Two patients had abnormal Q waves and no patients had sustained ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram. No significant coronary stenosis or mural thrombi was detected in these patients. All patients had severe ventricular arrhythmia, such as frequent multifocal ventricular premature contractions and ventricular tachycardia.
Conclusion. IDCM could be a rare cause of LVA. The LVA in IDCM was mainly located at the posterobasal wall. It was seldom accompanied by abnormal Q waves and sustained ST-segment elevation. The pathogenesis of LVA in IDCM seems to be less likely to be related to coronary emboli. Ventricular arrhythmia occurred frequently in these patients. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:475–80.)