Left ventricular aneurysms caused by blunt chest trauma.

This report describes the case of a 25-year-old man who suffered blunt chest trauma with resultant development of an asymptomatic left ventricular aneurysm which was successfully resected. A review of the literature reveals 25 reported cases of left ventricular aneurysm due to blunt trauma since 1892. The clinical findings and complications are similar to those of left ventricular aneurysm from other causes. The prognosis is not clear, but it is not necessarily benign even in asymptomatic cases. Aneurysmectomy has been generally successful and may be the treatment of choice. The surgical risk and prognosis is expected to be better than in left ventricular aneurysm due to myocardial infarction because of the relative infrequency of coexisting coronary artery disease.