Pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle complicated by Salmonella typhimurium infection. Recognition by two-dimensional echocardiography.

A patient is described with a large posterior left ventricular pseudoaneurysm complicated by Salmonella typhimurium infection. M-mode echocardiography displayed a massive echo-free space behind the posterior left ventricular wall, and two-dimensional echocardiography specifically defined the orifice and saccular contour of the false aneurysm. These findings were confirmed by cardiac catheterization and surgery. The unusual features of Salmonella endovascular infection and the noninvasive methods to detect left ventricular pseudoaneurysms are reviewed.