Background: Aneurysm repair is an important therapeutic intervention which improves the survival and life quality of patients with left ventricular aneurysm. In this study, we present our early results of patients with the left ventricular aneurysm which treated surgically.

Methods: Between January 2001 and October 2002, 51 patients underwent surgical repair for postischemic left ventricular aneurysm. Forty-fife (88.2%) of the patients were male and mean age was 58.53 ± 10.78 years. Among these patients, patch endoaneurysmorrhaphy was employed in 31 (60.8%) and linear closure in 20 (39.2%). Complete coronary revascularization was routinely added in all cases.

Results: Early mortality rate was 3.9% (2 patients). Low cardiac output developed in 2 (3.9%) patients and treated by intraaortic balloon pump support. Atrial fibrillation developed in 10 (19.6%) of the patients and all of them converted to sinus rhythm with antiarhythmic agents. Mean number of distal anastomosis per patient was 2.59 ± 1.04. Average stay in intensive care unit and hospital stay were 2.83 ± 1.29 and 7.74 ± 2.14 days, respectively. Functional status improved in all patients.

Conclusions: Regardless repair method, either linear or patch endoaneurysmorrhaphy, left ventricular aneurysm repair combined with complete coronary revascularization can be performed safely with reliable improvements regarding survival and functional status.

Keywords : Left ventricular aneursym, coronary revascularization