Thoracotomy for repair of left ventricular aneurysm in a patient with patent coronary bypass grafts.

Abstract

A 72-year-old man presented with a posterior left ventricular aneurysm 5 years after undergoing quadruple coronary artery bypass grafting. An angiogram demonstrated patent saphenous vein grafts, but also showed incidental asymptomatic aortic aneurysms. Left ventricular endoaneurysmorrhaphy was performed through a left thoracotomy. This approach affords excellent exposure of a posterior left ventricular aneurysm, averts many of the risks associated with reoperation, and should be considered in patients who have undergone a median sternotomy and who do not require myocardial revascularization.