Atraumatic right ventricular aneurysm. Report of case.

THE DEVELOPMENT of an aneurysm of the left ventricle is a relatively common sequela of myocardial infarction. 1-4 The pathophysiological consequences of such aneurysms have been defined by hemodynamic and cinefluorographic studies both before and after successful resection.5-8 In contrast, aneurysms of the right ventricle are rare and coronary artery disease is not thought to be an important etiological factor. The majority of such aneurysms are secondary to trauma or surgical procedures involving the right ventricle.9-18 Comparatively few successful surgical resections of aneurysms of the right ventricle have been reported.9' 13-15, 18 The present communication describes a patient with an aneurysm of the right ventricle which, unlike that in most other reported cases, developed without antecedent surgery or trauma. Hemodynamic and cinefluorographic data were obtained at cardiac catheterization. Surgical resection of the aneurysm was accomplished.